as in embarrassing
causing embarrassment
a disconcerting habit of chewing with his mouth open
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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
Stray Hairs Stray hairs lingering in the tub drain, on the floor, or in the sink can be quite disconcerting.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 19 Jan. 2026
For the next few months, though, O’Connell’s riding the high of Sir Jimmy Crystal’s disconcerting magnetism.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
Cellos and basses may be rumbling along on a frighteningly low melody, as the woodwinds are pecking like a riot in a chicken coop, while the high strings are sustaining a cluster of odd, disconcerting notes.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
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
And disconcerting moments are in the show, such as the larger-than-life black widow spiders that dangle from the ceiling.
—Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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
Stray Hairs Stray hairs lingering in the tub drain, on the floor, or in the sink can be quite disconcerting.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 19 Jan. 2026
For the next few months, though, O’Connell’s riding the high of Sir Jimmy Crystal’s disconcerting magnetism.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
Cellos and basses may be rumbling along on a frighteningly low melody, as the woodwinds are pecking like a riot in a chicken coop, while the high strings are sustaining a cluster of odd, disconcerting notes.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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
And disconcerting moments are in the show, such as the larger-than-life black widow spiders that dangle from the ceiling.
—Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disconcerting
Adjective
-
The clash over how many candidates to include underscored the dilemma facing Democrats, who are anxious to avoid a potentially embarrassing outcome in a state that hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988.—
Joseph Ax,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
-
In another, a self-critical impulse takes hold, and what seemed good at first is suddenly embarrassing.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This device is a high-tech centrifuge that simulates microgravity by spinning vials with samples around two axes, effectively confusing the cells inside as to their position in space.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
27 Mar. 2026
-
During the Second World War, the Allies put a special effort into confusing the Axis powers.—
David Szondy
March 25,
New Atlas,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Pride should come from your willingness to improve, not from resisting uncomfortable truths.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Dry air can be harmful and uncomfortable, but the LEVOIT Top Fill Humidifier can address that in any room of your home.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Deteriorating asset quality, collateral markdowns and a growing rush for the exits are rattling private credit markets and prompting comparisons to the Global Financial Crisis.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Your next visit to California’s poppy fields may come with a rattling surprise.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
So Pakistan is already in an awkward position because the Saudis are being attacked.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Lock down the logistics first The fastest way to kill trip momentum is skipping the awkward conversations.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of barging past, the Great Dane carefully adjusts his body, pressing himself to the side of the stairs in an effort to avoid disturbing the cat.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Police said there were reports of reckless driving throughout the parking lot, a fire, underage drinking, and disturbing others at the shopping district.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That said, whole-virus vaccines can cause more unpleasant side effects, and in rare cases, weakened live pathogens can redevelop infectious capability.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Like, what would make this already unpleasant environment even spicier?—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Christie acknowledged that the Kings were in a difficult position given their recent schedule injury situation.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Even putting the tank on the ice was more difficult this year.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disconcerting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disconcerting. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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