as in confused
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
our grandmother seems a bit discombobulated by all of this birthday fuss
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Recent Examples of discombobulated
However, the system has been discombobulated already, and the impact is likely to reach the Thanksgiving holiday.
—
Zach Wichter, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
His absence clearly discombobulated Denver’s defense after a tremendous first half, as second-year corner Kris Abrams-Draine filled in for Surtain but couldn’t prevent Dallas wideouts CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens from getting going on a lengthy scoring drive.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Thielow’s camera captures her kids in tender moments, clinging to her or sometimes discombobulated by their mother’s absence.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Kavya tugs on my arm, her nose is scrunched up, eyebrows discombobulated.
—Navdeep Singh Dhillon, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025
Zach Wichter, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
His absence clearly discombobulated Denver’s defense after a tremendous first half, as second-year corner Kris Abrams-Draine filled in for Surtain but couldn’t prevent Dallas wideouts CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens from getting going on a lengthy scoring drive.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Thielow’s camera captures her kids in tender moments, clinging to her or sometimes discombobulated by their mother’s absence.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Kavya tugs on my arm, her nose is scrunched up, eyebrows discombobulated.
—Navdeep Singh Dhillon, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discombobulated
Verb
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The show is Finding Her Edge, a new ice skating drama that should not be confused with Spinning Out, another Netflix ice skating drama that was cancelled after one season.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Judicial warrants should not be confused with administrative warrants, which are signed by immigration officers.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Later novels routinely took inspiration from family members or former or current lovers; the 1980 novel that baffled Frank Kermode is a dreamlike fable about a man guiltily trying to have an extramarital affair.—
Christopher Tayler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Instead, Chan's team taught Liu how to juggle, which baffled her.—
Daysia Tolentino,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But unlike his Sophoclean namesake, Orestes is bewildered by this escalation and refuses.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
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In April, the president was among those bewildered by his fall.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Although puzzled, Aisha answered honestly.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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Like his wife, Moore was puzzled when their friend didn’t show up to eat dinner.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Gargantuan boulders, twisted spiky trees, and vibrant sunset colors form an arid landscape that has perplexed and inspired creative titans like Jim Morrison and Gram Parsons for years.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
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Anyone who abandoned this art would be at risk of experiencing even their own culture as a stranger would, perplexed by the symbols and signs swirling about them.—
Jason Blakely,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discombobulated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discombobulated. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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