Definition of discomposenext
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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
  • Food companies are trying to find ways to make products healthier or more affordable by changing ingredients without disturbing familiar textures.
    Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • These changes can disturb the jet stream, the fast-moving westerly current of air in the atmosphere that helps steer weather systems around the Northern Hemisphere.
    Yongkang Xue, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Improved logistics for Saudi crude exports have reduced the market's assessment of how much supply is at risk, Massabni said, adding that oil prices reflect not just available barrels but also the probability of those supplies being disrupted.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The situation in Bangladesh highlights the dangers of disrupting vaccine supplies, Nuzzo says.
    Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • What’s bothered me, though, is how its backers have anchored their messaging around a lot of misleading generalizations about the state of college sports.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Having my mother in so much of the film [is what] bothers me.
    Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Polo Room Not to be confused with Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bar, the Polo Room takes its name from the actual sport—international polo star Nacho Figueras is a co-owner, and his Argentine heritage runs throughout the restaurant.
    Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • There’s no complicated touchscreen to confuse older family members or young kids, either.
    Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Some of these elements are distracting, some are used as plot devices, and a few simply reek of misanthropy for its own sake.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026
  • The pain distracted Garrett while facing a 49ers lineup that included three-time All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The space suddenly swells with agents, assistants, clients and others shuffling through for lunch.
    Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Others, for certain, are incubated by gridiron versions of cheer moms, who shuffle their sons around in search of stardom.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • According to new Gallup polling, 27% of US workers worry that technology will render their jobs obsolete, a new high.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • New blood tests that might predict Alzheimer’s years before symptoms begin may sound tantalizing for people who worry about later-in-life dementia.
    Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Their habitats were ransacked, their migration routes disarranged, truncated, cut off.
    Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Oct. 2022

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Cite this Entry

“Discompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discompose. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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