disconcert

verb dis·con·cert \ ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of disconcert

transitive verb

1 : to throw into confusion

disconcerting their plans

2 : to disturb the composure of

were disconcerted by his tone of voice

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disconcerting

adjective

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disconcertingly

play \-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

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disconcertment

play \-mənt\ noun

See disconcert defined for English-language learners

See disconcert defined for kids

Examples of disconcert in a Sentence

News of his criminal past has disconcerted even his admirers.
we were disconcerted by the unexpected changes to the program

Recent Examples of disconcert from the Web

The aesthetic combines archaic technology, disconcerting art, small rooms, and eerily unpopulated public spaces.

— samantha nelson, The Verge, "In season 2, FX’s Legion is still using a familiar genre to tell an extraordinary story," 5 Apr. 2018
The sequence was disconcerting: the outcome of the process (a baby) so absurdly disproportionate to the blandness of the effort expended.

— ellen wayland-smith, Longreads, "Death Rattle: The Body’s Betrayals," 21 Mar. 2018
Yet Trump did not appear to be disconcerted by Kim’s move.

— simon denyer, Washington Post, "South Korea bets that talks with North could pay off," 2 Jan. 2018
Still, the ungraceful exit was disconcerting to Woods.

— mike tierney, New York Times, "Tiger Woods, After Stumbling at Riviera, Plans to Come Right Back," 17 Feb. 2018
But the degree to which NBC had been dubious of her illness claims was disconcerting.

— phil rosenthal, chicagotribune.com, "NBC's Olympics script wiped out when Mikaela Shiffrin loses and Nathan Chen stumbles," 16 Feb. 2018
Documents are stored on a per-app basis, which can be disconcerting to those used to filing everything away in folders.

— john herrman, Popular Mechanics, "How to Replace Your Laptop with an iPad: Apps and Accessories," 1 Nov. 2010
From the outside, AC Milan seems a club collectively disconcerted.

— SI.com, "AC Milan's Star Goalkeeper to Miss Wednesday's Derby Della Madonnina," 27 Dec. 2017
As many of my colleagues agree, what’s often disconcerting about this process is the gathering feeling that these people didn’t really want your advice.

— al haas, Philly.com, "Answers to some of your most pressing car questions," 21 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disconcert.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of disconcert

obsolete French disconcerter, alteration of Middle French desconcerter, from des- dis- + concerter to concert

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First Known Use: 1687

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disconcert Synonyms

Synonyms

abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle;

Near Antonyms

calm, comfort, console, relieve, soothe;

buoy, cheer, embolden, encourage, hearten;

assure, reassure;

debase, degrade, demean, humble, humiliate, shame;

Synonym Discussion of disconcert

embarrass, discomfit, abash, disconcert, rattle mean to distress by confusing or confounding. embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

- The question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

- Hecklers discomfited the speaker

abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

- abashed by her swift and cutting retort

disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

- disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

- rattled by all the television cameras

DISCONCERT Defined for English Language Learners

disconcert

verb

Definition of disconcert for English Language Learners

: to make (someone) upset or embarrassed

DISCONCERT Defined for Kids

disconcert

verb dis·con·cert \ ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt \

Definition of disconcert for Students

disconcerted; disconcerting

: to make confused and a little upset The change in plans disconcerted him.

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See words that rhyme with disconcert Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disconcert Spanish Central: Translation of disconcert Nglish: Translation of disconcert for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of disconcert for Arabic speakers

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disconcert

Definition of disconcert

disconcerting

disconcertingly

disconcertment

Examples of disconcert in a Sentence

Recent Examples of disconcert from the Web

Origin and Etymology of disconcert

disconcert Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of disconcert

DISCONCERT Defined for English Language Learners

disconcert

Definition of disconcert for English Language Learners

DISCONCERT Defined for Kids

disconcert

Definition of disconcert for Students

Learn More about disconcert

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