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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
  • These days, there’s no shortage of packable, lightweight sleeping pads to make sure no peas (or pebbles) ever disturb your slumber on your next backpacking trip.
    Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 11 May 2025
  • Both of these albums were born at a time when outside factors disturbed their peace.
    Alex Gonzalez, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Indeed, on Thursday in Basel, a small group of protesters blew whistles and waved flags to disrupt one of Raphael’s public rehearsals.
    Alex Marshall, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • In a particularly affecting scene, Laura pleads with a social worker who disrupts the sinister plot she’s been crafting.
    Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Or Xander Schauffele, the defending PGA champion who is surely not bothered by the lack of attention on him early this week.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • That doesn’t mean the implication doesn’t bother him.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • All of the footage from The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon makes the show-within-a-show look silly, which the series confuses with humorousness.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
  • While no one should ever have confused the entertainment business with a warm binkie, the institutions themselves are in the new and awkward spot of having to justify their existence.
    Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Critics suggested that Johnson timed the announcement to distract from the fact that he’d just been fined for attending a party in defiance of his own COVID restrictions, though the policy had been months in the making.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
  • Keep yourself occupied during the early days and weeks to distract your mind and heart.
    Anna Pulley, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • In recent months though, and as the weather’s picked up, another style of jeans has been shuffling their way onto our moodboards.
    Daisy Jones, Vogue, 2 May 2025
  • No more shuffling through your wallet for cash or a credit card.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Long term, some economists worry the back-and-forth on tariffs could strain relationships between the U.S. and its trading partners.
    Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • To all hockey fans, find something else to worry about.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • The rapid expansion of the Camp House Fire, Jenkins Creek Fire and Munger Shaw Fire has alarmed officials.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • Democrats and some Republicans are also alarmed over the ethics of accepting such an expensive gift from a foreign country.
    Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Discompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discompose. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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