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
  • Mist the soil instead of overhead watering, which can disturb the seeds.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Managing the genetic health of such a small population is essential for the species’ long-term viability, and the hair-collection method offers a noninvasive way to gather vital data without disturbing the wombats in their burrows.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Economic and religious activities disrupted by DHS Muslims in Minneapolis, estimated now to be more than 100,000, have lived in the city for well over a century, and the city has embraced them.
    Yahya Salem, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Her beau-to-be follows her into the fields and sneaks up on her, stumbling over a rock at the last possible moment, disrupting what might have been her first actual orgasm.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The man himself might have argued forcefully that the one didn’t prove the other, that many Muslims in his hometown never bothered to circumcise their children.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
  • But only part of that really bothered the Florida Department of Health about Sidney Moritz, once known as Sandy Montano.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Restaurants that have a smaller 3% charge to cover healthcare might leave customers confused on how to proceed.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Netflix representatives have been warning investors not to confuse the expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period with regulatory clearance, citing examples where DOJ investigations have continued, per a note from Guggenheim Securities this week.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But the table is so congested that putting any kind of winning run together could make a real difference while the teams above them are distracted by European commitments.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Now that citizens can stare dumbfounded into the same distracting bright lights (and gambling gateways) via ever-present screens, the whole of the United States has essentially transformed into the hellscape once confined to Nevada’s southern tip.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • That left the Broncos with no option but to grab their bags and shuffle along the final icy stretch before reaching the safety of indoors.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
  • To use Smith at the top of the lineup would likely require the Rangers to shuffle the leadoff hitter against lefties, thus creating more moving parts.
    Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Anyone worried about corporate takeover was put at ease from day one.
    Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The crowded field has some Democrats worried about the possibility of both Hilton and Bianco making it into the runoff, shutting out the party that has controlled the Governor’s Office since 2011 if Democrats split the vote.
    Grace Hase, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 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 22 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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