disconcert

verb

dis·​con·​cert ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt How to pronounce disconcert (audio)
disconcerted; disconcerting; disconcerts

transitive verb

1
: to throw into confusion
disconcerting their plans
2
: to disturb the composure of
were disconcerted by his tone of voice
disconcerting adjective
disconcertingly adverb
disconcertment noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web Love bombing can be highly negative and trick someone into a relationship that is dour and disconcerting. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 Blake Randol, a criminal justice professor at California State University, Stanislaus, found the situation disconcerting because the purpose behind pursuing the action is to stop a person or entity from creating disorder. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 9 July 2024 Russia was becoming more closed, and this was disconcerting for a generation that had grown up in a modernized and relatively open society. Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024 For such a significant portion of companies to have scored so low is disconcerting, given the ubiquity of plastic in the fashion supply chain, in particular through the use of synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon. Amy Nguyen, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disconcert 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disconcert.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disconcert was in 1632

Dictionary Entries Near disconcert

Cite this Entry

“Disconcert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disconcert. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

disconcert

verb
dis·​con·​cert ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt How to pronounce disconcert (audio)
1
: to disturb the arrangement of : upset
the unexpected event disconcerted their plans
2
: to disturb the self-control of
your frank stare disconcerted me
disconcertingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on disconcert

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