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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
  • He was recently disturbed by a Reddit thread in which a user posted jargon-heavy chatbot messages that seemed eerily familiar.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 10 Aug. 2025
  • This experience left him disturbed by how his presence affected others.
    Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Indiana Democrats lack the ability to break quorum and disrupt legislative processes, like their counterparts in Texas are currently doing, Pierce told anchor Kate Bolduan.
    Indianapolis Star, IndyStar, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Usually, Alzheimer’s disease also causes personality changes, loss of appetite, and disrupted sleep.2 Sometimes, the symptoms can help a healthcare provider diagnose a person’s specific type of dementia.
    Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The article includes a fancy-looking formula central to the algorithm, but the formula is nearly impossible to decipher since the authors didn’t bother to explain half the symbols in it.
    Noah Giansiracusa, Time, 7 Aug. 2025
  • If a body is here, whoever buried it didn’t bother digging deep, because there’s no fear of getting caught.
    Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The rest of the members’ faces were left blank and confused at the mention of barking.
    Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • The president issued new guidelines for tariffs, extended some tariffs for a few months, and is confusing everyone, including consumers.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 2 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Listen for the signs Notifications, newsfeeds and WhatsApp groups are distracting you from making a difference with your work.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the Carter administration was distracted by other global events: the Panama Canal crisis, the SALT II negotiations with Moscow, the Israeli-Egyptian peace talks.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The coaching staff shuffled its depth chart, handing extra reps to players who had performed well over the previous nine practices and deserved a longer look.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Aug. 2025
  • From ones that incorporate fans to odes to classic binge-worthy TV, with the help of social media, everyone’s creative wheels are turning — and people are learning one new step after another, feet shuffling, turning, stepping with ease.
    Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Now, conservation experts worry the road will propel more urbanization.
    Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
  • How did the pill get such a bad reputation and is there anything to worry about?
    Katia Riddle, NPR, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Ford put on a blood pressure cuff and was alarmed at the results: 151 over 115, with a heartrate of 171.
    Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The decision has alarmed some of Trump's current and former allies in the GOP.
    Micah McCartney John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Discompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discompose. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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