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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb discompose contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of discompose are agitate, disquiet, disturb, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When would agitate be a good substitute for discompose?

Although the words agitate and discompose have much in common, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When can disquiet be used instead of discompose?

The synonyms disquiet and discompose are sometimes interchangeable, but disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

Where would disturb be a reasonable alternative to discompose?

The words disturb and discompose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

When could fluster be used to replace discompose?

In some situations, the words fluster and discompose are roughly equivalent. However, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

In what contexts can perturb take the place of discompose?

While in some cases nearly identical to discompose, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When is upset a more appropriate choice than discompose?

The words upset and discompose can be used in similar contexts, but upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discompose In a third discomposing show of baseball in as many days, the Brewers fell, 8-6, to the lowly A's, who looked like anything but in an emphatic weekend-long dismantling of a team that entered in first place. Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discompose
Verb
  • No doubt, climate change threatens to muck it all up, disturbing patterns that have existed for centuries.
    Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2025
  • This tactic—arresting judges for their courtroom decisions—has disturbing echoes in other countries where judicial independence has been undermined: in Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, in Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Turkey, and in other places where democracy has given way to executive supremacy.
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Comments The Four Seasons is an eight-episode Netflix series about middle-aged married couples whose dynamic is disrupted by a divorce in their midst.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 3 May 2025
  • The Red Sox appear uncertain if adding another change to his routine would disrupt his rhythm at the plate.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • Luckily, my dog doesn’t bother the plants—except the ones in the garden—but this plant stand gives me peace of mind anyway.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2025
  • Travel delays don’t bother Blues The Blues got stuck in Winnipeg after Game 5 due to an issue with the plane that was bringing them back to St. Louis.
    Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • And when the series takes an occasional serious turn, you'll just be confused.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • However, simply getting older doesn’t equate to consistently missing bills or appointments, having a hard time speaking with people, or feeling lost or confused in places that are familiar to you.
    Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Photo: Google Maps Another theory: The glittering Emmys hardly distract from $6.495 million’s worth of truly great bones.
    Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 May 2025
  • That’s four clubs who are, to varying degrees, distracted from league football.
    Sam Tighe, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • In recent months though, and as the weather’s picked up, another style of jeans has been shuffling their way onto our moodboards.
    Daisy Jones, Vogue, 2 May 2025
  • No more shuffling through your wallet for cash or a credit card.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Long term, some economists worry the back-and-forth on tariffs could strain relationships between the U.S. and its trading partners.
    Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • Yet threats to use nuclear weapons from Russia and North Korea, and even from the U.S. president, have worried many.
    Alan Robock, Scientific American, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • When DeSantis first ran for Governor in 2018, Florida was experiencing headline-grabbing environmental problems ranging from fish-killing red tides and toxic algae blooms to manatee die-offs and invasive species that were alarming residents and giving tourists pause.
    Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • People should not be alarmed as the fires are carefully monitored.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Discompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discompose. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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