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fluster

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb fluster contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fluster are agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When might agitate be a better fit than fluster?

The words agitate and fluster can be used in similar contexts, but agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When would discompose be a good substitute for fluster?

While in some cases nearly identical to fluster, 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 could disquiet be used to replace fluster?

The synonyms disquiet and fluster are sometimes interchangeable, but disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

When can disturb be used instead of fluster?

In some situations, the words disturb and fluster are roughly equivalent. However, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

In what contexts can perturb take the place of fluster?

Although the words perturb and fluster have much in common, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When is upset a more appropriate choice than fluster?

While the synonyms upset and fluster are close in meaning, 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 fluster
Noun
The lanyard on our neighbor’s flagpole clanks in the wind, the fraying stars and stripes fluster and droop. Rosanna Warren, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025 The 6-1, 220-pounder repeatedly flusters defenses by escaping out of would-be sacks and delivering seemingly impossible throws. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2023
Verb
It doesn’t get flustered by high-pressure sales tactics or feel rushed to make a decision. Maya Ackerman, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2025 But Brozena was not flustered, winning 16 and 18 to end the match. Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluster
Noun
  • The panic began when a pilot reportedly heard knocking on the cockpit door and was unable to contact his crew.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • None of the panic, none of the prophetism.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The abrupt departure stunned the crowd, prompting confusion both in the audience and among his bandmates.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Teddy’s reasoning is a confusion of save-the-world alarmism, garden-variety derangement, unhealed trauma, and single-minded revenge.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, the heist spotlights embarrassing security failings at one of France’s most venerable institutions.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The New York Mets fell short of the postseason in embarrassing fashion last season, so this offseason is going to be more important than ever.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Lloyd evaded a diving Mahomes, Kareem Hunt and a streaking Tyquan Thornton for a huff-and-puff 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Kemp looked at the ceiling and blew a huff of air when Schwartz announced the sentence.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The scandal resulted in major embarrassment to the royal family and effectively ended her official royal role.
    Ashley Hume , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Teens say access to period products has gotten better, but their menstrual cycles are still a source of embarrassment.
    Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • One of the higher-ups felt my title Stairway to Heaven would be confused with the 1939 movie of the same name.
    Cameron Crowe, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Historically, people disguised themselves in mystical and mythical ensembles time of year in order to confuse ghosts and deter them from wreaking havoc; the Celts even carved faces into vegetables to keep the entities away from their food.
    Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Serve it for a holiday feast or any dinner that deserves to feel a little fancy without the fuss.
    Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Oversized, statement-making tops that don’t need a lot of fuss, leather jackets, and some autumnal classics, like button-up shirts and turtleneck dresses, have become my go-tos.
    Minty Mellon, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Success doesn't rattle him, failure doesn't rattle him.
    Kyle McGovern, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The use of CIDs – a legal tool that allows the government to gather information during a civil investigation – rattled corporate America.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluster. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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