Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disconcert contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disconcert are abash, discomfit, embarrass, and rattle. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

When is it sensible to use abash instead of disconcert?

The meanings of abash and disconcert largely overlap; however, abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

abashed by her swift and cutting retort

When can discomfit be used instead of disconcert?

The words discomfit and disconcert can be used in similar contexts, but discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

When would embarrass be a good substitute for disconcert?

In some situations, the words embarrass and disconcert are roughly equivalent. However, embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

When might rattle be a better fit than disconcert?

Although the words rattle and disconcert have much in common, rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

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 disconcert The line between the two is seamless and not at all disconcerting. Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2025 The young actor has a disconcerting awareness of the roiling potential of his changing body. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025 The first 10 minutes of USC’s NCAA tournament debut had been disconcerting enough already. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2025 Even without Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota’s size remains disconcerting to the Nuggets, especially when Aaron Gordon is out. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disconcert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disconcert
Verb
  • Johnson’s predecessor, Larry Robinson, resigned last year amid fallout from a fake $237 million donation scandal that embarrassed the school on the national stage.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
  • What’s made the 18th so fun this week is its ability — even for just a second — to embarrass the best golfers on the planet.
    Jordan Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Also, this word et cetera at the end of the sentence confused me.
    EW.com, EW.com, 26 May 2025
  • Weir was confused by the man’s unusual conviction, though.
    Louise Erdrich, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • In any other circumstance, I would have been flustered, embarrassed, and ready to drag her out of there and straight into a time-out.
    Staff Author, Parents, 5 May 2025
  • Midway through Donald Trump‘s 100-day interview with ABC’s Terry Moran, the president got flustered.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The brutal stabbings rattled Moscow, a city of 25,000 people that hadn’t recorded a murder since 2015.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
  • But the winds of change in Colorado caused this particular branch in Blue to rattle and sway.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disconcert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disconcert. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on disconcert

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