as in embarrassing
causing embarrassment
a disconcerting habit of chewing with his mouth open
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in confusing
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
we were disconcerted by the unexpected changes to the program
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of disconcerting
Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
There are plenty of inconveniences frequent air travelers have become accustomed to, from long security lines to shrinking overhead storage bins, but few are as disconcerting as heavy turbulence in flight.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
About 20 miles southwest of Indianapolis, Mooresville residents report finding dirty water filters turning a disconcerting brown.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 31 Mar. 2026
That alone would be disconcerting, but that the line (dubbed the Petrova Line, after the scientist who discovered it) seems to be linked to a new, gradual dimming of the sun?
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Mar. 2026
The only disconcerting note for reigning champion Bayern was the withdrawal at halftime of Manuel Neuer.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
None of the emails unearthed so far appear to indicate criminal activity, but are—like the photos—disconcerting.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 31 Jan. 2026
Here, the opening sentence is disconcerting because the speaker is coming back to a physical space, but is returning from an absence, which is not a physical space.
—Akhil Sharma, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
Fitting a narrow criteria There’s a more disconcerting reason why so few applied — DeSantis’ exceedingly narrow preference for right-wing soulmates and fellow members of the Federalist Society.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
Mike Wall, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026
There’s a lot of disconcerting news about AI in journalism lately.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
The news is disconcerting for nearby residents like Moody.
—Olivia Young, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
As the Alabama Crimson Tide prepare for the rival Auburn Tigers ahead of Saturday’s Iron Bowl, the team received a bit of disconcerting news.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
The code, though, is currently often replete with disconcerting troubles.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
This detail, at once tragic and comic, painfully human and stupidly bureaucratic, captures something essential about Schattenfroh, an extremely dark novel about the horrors of modern European history laced with the delirious, disconcerting humor of a Hieronymus Bosch painting.
—Book Marks
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 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
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
Adjective
Other content, however, could be so disconcerting that it is assumed never to produce meaningful debate, and news outlets (and other platforms) need to make difficult decisions on how to identify and remove such content.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
There are plenty of inconveniences frequent air travelers have become accustomed to, from long security lines to shrinking overhead storage bins, but few are as disconcerting as heavy turbulence in flight.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
About 20 miles southwest of Indianapolis, Mooresville residents report finding dirty water filters turning a disconcerting brown.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 31 Mar. 2026
That alone would be disconcerting, but that the line (dubbed the Petrova Line, after the scientist who discovered it) seems to be linked to a new, gradual dimming of the sun?
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Mar. 2026
The only disconcerting note for reigning champion Bayern was the withdrawal at halftime of Manuel Neuer.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
None of the emails unearthed so far appear to indicate criminal activity, but are—like the photos—disconcerting.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 31 Jan. 2026
Here, the opening sentence is disconcerting because the speaker is coming back to a physical space, but is returning from an absence, which is not a physical space.
—Akhil Sharma, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
Fitting a narrow criteria There’s a more disconcerting reason why so few applied — DeSantis’ exceedingly narrow preference for right-wing soulmates and fellow members of the Federalist Society.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
There was also some disconcerting history to consider.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026
There’s a lot of disconcerting news about AI in journalism lately.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
The news is disconcerting for nearby residents like Moody.
—Olivia Young, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
As the Alabama Crimson Tide prepare for the rival Auburn Tigers ahead of Saturday’s Iron Bowl, the team received a bit of disconcerting news.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
The code, though, is currently often replete with disconcerting troubles.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
This detail, at once tragic and comic, painfully human and stupidly bureaucratic, captures something essential about Schattenfroh, an extremely dark novel about the horrors of modern European history laced with the delirious, disconcerting humor of a Hieronymus Bosch painting.
—Book Marks
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disconcerting
Adjective
-
After an awful, embarrassing playoff exit two seasons ago the Heat improved by six wins this season and had the highest offensive rating in club history.—
Greg Cote
April 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The typical phone call between Breslow and Cora after Friday night’s embarrassing 10-3 loss also didn’t happen, team sources say.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Welcome to Asking for a Friend, a weekly series dedicated to solving the messy, awkward, and confusing parts of modern friendship.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2026
-
But factors like confusing trailheads and limited provisions mean that going alone also comes with unique risks.—
Allison Forsyth,
Health,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
After consulting with the Ravens’ team physician — and those of the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants — DeCosta became uncomfortable with the prognosis.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
No longer in the context of the coffee shop, the manager looked uncomfortable and out of place, his power diminished, an average guy in a bad suit, who had had to take time off from his job to come downtown to a federal office in an Art Deco building.—
Saïd Sayrafiezadeh,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That includes the stories behind the backboard-rattling dunks and blocks on the basketball court.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Though brief, Yoon’s martial law decree threw the country into a severe political crisis, paralyzing politics and high-level diplomacy and rattling financial markets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Cavaliere made headlines earlier this year by banning Chappell Roan from ever performing at the concert after the singer had an awkward encounter with the stepdaughter of Brazilian soccer player Jorginho.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is one of Washington’s enduring, if somewhat awkward, rituals.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There is disturbing use by 13-year-olds and those who are older in bike lanes and our once-tranquil walking and bike trails.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Mark Holdbrooks, 69, was found guilty Friday on multiple charges, including murder, theft and disturbing human remains.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The dusty chocolate coating is bitter and unpleasant, and there isn’t enough salt to offset it.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Some of it has been very unpleasant for me and many others, especially those who look like me.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But with the Lightning taking back home-ice advantage with this win and the series shifting back to Tampa, where Cooper will have full control of the matchup, the task becomes that much more difficult for the Suzuki line.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disconcerting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disconcerting. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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