as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
in my discombobulation I mistook a bathroom door for an exit
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Recent Examples of discombobulation
There was a little bit of discombobulation on the street.
—
Amy Amatangelo, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
In a couple of fleetingly brilliant moments, the director visualizes characters' discombobulation with aggressive blurring and dizzying superimpositions.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
The discombobulation of college athletics contributed to their hasty exits.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
In true festival style, and much to the discombobulation of Dot and Betty, this interview with Kwapis and the Wiggin sisters took place in the lobby of a very busy hotel on the day of We Are the Shaggs’ world premiere at SXSW.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
In the weeks prior to the performance, Cassils was subject to a debilitating case of vertigo as their body somatized the disorientation and discombobulation of this historical moment.
—Gayatri Gopinath, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025
Amy Amatangelo, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
In a couple of fleetingly brilliant moments, the director visualizes characters' discombobulation with aggressive blurring and dizzying superimpositions.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
The discombobulation of college athletics contributed to their hasty exits.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
In true festival style, and much to the discombobulation of Dot and Betty, this interview with Kwapis and the Wiggin sisters took place in the lobby of a very busy hotel on the day of We Are the Shaggs’ world premiere at SXSW.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
In the weeks prior to the performance, Cassils was subject to a debilitating case of vertigo as their body somatized the disorientation and discombobulation of this historical moment.
—Gayatri Gopinath, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discombobulation
Noun
-
Constant changes and slow IRS guidance led to widespread confusion and, eventually, abuse that forced the IRS to put a moratorium on claims on September 14, 2023 until August 8, 2024.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
So there’s little doubt that the emergence of jumbo-size Messi’s across America’s lawns create more intrigue than confusion, even in a nation where soccer as a whole remains a second-tier sport.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The emotional fog begins to lift while feelings of hesitation fade away.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Scratched carpets are buried under tangles of wires and computing gear.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
-
Electrical outlets and power strips Outlets, surge protectors and the tangle of cords behind an entertainment center collect more dust than people realize.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discombobulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discombobulation. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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