discombobulate

verb

ˌdis-kəm-ˈbä-b(y)ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce discombobulate (audio)
Definition of discombobulatenext
as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty our grandmother seems a bit discombobulated by all of this birthday fuss

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 discombobulate The story of Game Two should also feature Jose Alvarado, who scored all of two points and played only ten minutes but seemed to discombobulate the Spurs with his fearlessness and his speed. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 June 2026 Jackson Merrill is too talented to be this discombobulated much longer. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026 But none have quite the staying power of discombobulate. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026 Does springing forward in early March leave you feeling discombobulated during your commute? — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discombobulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discombobulate
  1. bewilder
  2. confuse
  3. baffle
  4. perplex
  5. puzzle
  6. befuddle
Verb
  • Republicans use metaphor to turn unpopular policies into perky catchphrases, leaving Democrats bewildered.
    — Richard Yanowitch, Mercury News, 29 July 2026
  • In Texas, Spain bewildered France, neutralising what has looked like the most formidable attack in the tournament.
    — Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of bewilder
Verb
  • The Studio Behind The Technology Annapurna Studios (not to be confused with the Megan Ellison-founded Annapurna Pictures in Hollywood) has been a cornerstone of Indian cinema for half a century.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • But there is the risk that his strategy will backfire by confusing investors.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • The news conference that followed left some economists baffled.
    — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 30 July 2026
  • Another passerby was baffled by how empty the corner now looks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of baffle
Verb
  • Workers at Doherty Staffing Solutions were perplexed when strangers started calling the office in response to recruitment texts — texts the firm never sent.
    — Bill Lukitsch, Boston Herald, 13 July 2026
  • The Wiener Kitchen diners weren’t the only Kansas Citians perplexed by this description.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Definition of perplex
Verb
  • The fire chief, Gene Perreault, who was there during the walk-through, tells me the piles puzzled investigators.
    — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
  • It's become a world of quick and easy solutions for life's puzzling issues; seemingly solving them in 45 seconds or using household remedies.
    — John Shumway, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of puzzle
Verb
  • The invisible present befuddles each generation in every age.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
  • The 1,000-person guest list was impressive, expansive and, occasionally, befuddling.
    — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of befuddle

Browse Nearby Words

discolors
discombobulate
discombobulated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Discombobulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discombobulate. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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