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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
  • For instance, Bella's first meeting with Edward in their biology class is supposed to be this unnerving moment, where Bella is disturbed by Edward's apparent repulsion toward her.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
  • A lot of disturbing things happened in The Exorcist — Regan MacNeil's 360 neck turn remains one of the most diabolical things to happen on film — and for its innovations, the 1973 movie scored 10 Oscar nominations.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But the science shows exercising late at night, just before bed can disrupt sleep.
    Allison Aubrey, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
  • China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force and Navy both operate advanced jamming aircraft, such as the J-16D, equipped with pods that can disrupt radar, GPS, and datalinks across wide areas.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • That’s what bothers me about it.
    Tom Tapp, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The 20-year-old didn’t bother inspecting it further, threw it in the gutter and went on with her day.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Her daughter was confused, and eventually asked Nasser for an explanation as to what had been said.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
  • At her spring show, Marie-Adam Leenaerdt brought back the style, but her shiny spandex stocking version ensures no one confuses the look for child’s play.
    Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Consider having some extra treats on hand to distract your dog and encourage them to be brave puppies.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Once written, the script’s fantastic promise distracted its readers from the fatal holes in its plot.
    Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Smith steadied a Dodgers team constantly shuffling the top of its lineup and searching for the right matchups from its bullpen.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The two are lost in time in the halls of the White Octopus Hotel, shuffling through 1935 and 2015 London in hopes of a second chance.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • More broadly, the NBA has expressed concern about prop bets, while other sports leagues have worried about the potential for manipulation.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • After Trump spoke to Lurie, local leaders and advocates worried that Trump would shift his attention from San Francisco, which at one point hosted more billionaires than any other city, to less powerful and more diverse enclaves like Oakland and Alameda.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2025
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 6 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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