as in embarrassment
the emotional state of being made self-consciously uncomfortable
blushed and lowered her eyes in evident discomfiture
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Recent Examples of discomfiture
The actor enhances his character’s long inner monologues with his eloquent ice-blue eyes, which can convey emotions ranging from disdain and discomfiture to despair and devotion.
—
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 12 May 2025
Dolan’s discomfiture is understandable, as cord-cutting was already doing a number on the legacy RSN model well before the NBA began beefing up its national TV slate at the expense of the local sports channels.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
Everywhere, Ryback says, the cartoonists and editorialists delighted in Hitler’s discomfiture.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024
Back in the States, Frankie suffers from terrifying episodes of PTSD, from society’s refusal to believe that women served in the conflict and from her own parents’ discomfiture over her service.
—Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024
Sohel’s father, an aristo to his fingertips, would have been amused to think of a Dunyapur peasant having an opinion on the matter at all, and might have called him over to enjoy his discomfiture in the presence of the Begum Sahiba’s bikini.
—Daniyal Mueenuddin, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2021
Marsac’s discomfiture nevertheless leads to something utterly unexpected.
—Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2021
When the aliens did not appear, some members of the group became disillusioned and immediately departed, but others dealt with their discomfiture by doubling down on their conviction.
—Zoë Heller, The New Yorker, 5 July 2021
Kedar is sung after eight o’clock in the evening, and to sing it at twilight, at six o’clock, would create slight discomfiture.
—Amit Chaudhuri, Harper's Magazine, 16 Mar. 2021
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 12 May 2025
Dolan’s discomfiture is understandable, as cord-cutting was already doing a number on the legacy RSN model well before the NBA began beefing up its national TV slate at the expense of the local sports channels.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
Everywhere, Ryback says, the cartoonists and editorialists delighted in Hitler’s discomfiture.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024
Back in the States, Frankie suffers from terrifying episodes of PTSD, from society’s refusal to believe that women served in the conflict and from her own parents’ discomfiture over her service.
—Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024
Sohel’s father, an aristo to his fingertips, would have been amused to think of a Dunyapur peasant having an opinion on the matter at all, and might have called him over to enjoy his discomfiture in the presence of the Begum Sahiba’s bikini.
—Daniyal Mueenuddin, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2021
Marsac’s discomfiture nevertheless leads to something utterly unexpected.
—Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2021
When the aliens did not appear, some members of the group became disillusioned and immediately departed, but others dealt with their discomfiture by doubling down on their conviction.
—Zoë Heller, The New Yorker, 5 July 2021
Kedar is sung after eight o’clock in the evening, and to sing it at twilight, at six o’clock, would create slight discomfiture.
—Amit Chaudhuri, Harper's Magazine, 16 Mar. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discomfiture
Noun
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The memory of her own childhood embarrassment—drinking from old creamer containers at school lunch to save money—flashed through her mind.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
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Nick Kroll co-created the raunchy comedy, which explores puberty, sexuality, and the never-ending embarrassments of adolescence.—
Huntley Woods,
EW.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Role Clarity If current employees aren’t sure who owns what, new hires will step straight into the confusion.—
Leyda Lazo,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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There is no confusion when a woman makes a decision regarding her relationship.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discomfiture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discomfiture. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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