disconcerting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of disconcertingnext
as in embarrassing
causing embarrassment a disconcerting habit of chewing with his mouth open

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disconcerting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of disconcert
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 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 disconcerting
Adjective
In the finale, Matthew’s scenes with K Callan, who plays Ruth, are really disconcerting. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026 Bari Weiss directed the housecleaning at the newsmagazine last week, and Nick Bilton signed the letter telling Scott Pelley he was fired on Tuesday night, but the Paramount CEO owns the decisions and the disconcerting fallout. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 3 June 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 See All Example Sentences for disconcerting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disconcerting
  1. embarrassing
  2. confusing
  3. uncomfortable
  4. rattling
  5. awkward
  6. disturbing
  7. unpleasant
  8. difficult
Adjective
  • These demands can become expensive, stressful, or embarrassing for victims, who, in desperation, turn to the internet for help.
    — Kim Key, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
  • With 10 days to prepare, Schottenheimer’s Cowboys played an embarrassing first half en route to a 23-13 loss on Sunday night at Green Bay.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of embarrassing
Verb
  • The Justice Department has argued in its suit that the name overlap risks confusing voters.
    — Willem Marx, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Cyan could theoretically fill the visual gap without confusing road users.
    — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of confusing
Adjective
  • The quarterback Mike Macdonald has earned his paychecks from making quarterbacks uncomfortable.
    — Sam McDowell October 25, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Probably not enough to win, but enough to make laying nearly a touchdown uncomfortable.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of uncomfortable
Verb
  • Sound quality is also good, with ultra-deep bass rattling your brain on songs that feature it.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The production is a rattling junk drawer of circuit-bent thrift-store keyboards, dusty drum machines, and unintuitive loops, and KTO combines them into head-scratching, shouldn’t-work grooves.
    — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of rattling
Adjective
  • The Basketmaker—whose skills go far beyond furniture making—weaves her a match, Fiddler on the Roof-like, and the Fisherwoman, after an awkward matrimonial moment, takes Wicker Husband home to her funky little cottage.
    — Valerie Monroe, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The pushback is awkward for a government that went out of its way to land the project.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of awkward
Verb
  • If a passenger won’t wake up after a gentle tap, ask a flight attendant for assistance instead of repeatedly disturbing them.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Her departure came just the day after prosecutors said the baby's mother discovered disturbing camera footage over a three-month period.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • Other research suggests trypophobic people find hole clusters as unpleasant as pictures of skin disease and that people with a history of skin problems may find hole clusters particularly uncomfortable to look at.
    — Gabriela Galvin, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
  • That is followed by one focused on exploring conventional notions of beauty by uncovering the unexpected draw of unpleasant scents with Naïla Hamayed, Givaudan’s fragrance evaluator.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • Jarman, who came in as the defending champion on the event, put together a more difficult routine but was nicked by judges for his execution.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • This is the last remaining game on the schedule that should be very difficult.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of difficult

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Disconcerting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disconcerting. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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