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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
There’s cringe comedy in their fluster opposite her flamboyant imbecility. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2023 In the 4 1/2 games Chubb missed, the Browns had their quarterback win a game (Bengals), needed last-second heroics from Odell Beckham Jr. in Dallas, and had the defense fluster Colts quarterback Phillip Rivers into two interceptions and a safety. Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, 12 Nov. 2020
Verb
Zmuda flustered Kaufman, throwing him off his rhythm, leading to more awkward silence and melancholy. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 As for defense, Mission Hills flustered the hosts, forcing 17 turnovers. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluster
Noun
  • Yet rather than panic, creators have been quick to adapt.
    Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Yet the faces and the fashions, not to mention the paranoia and the panic, feel very Seventies.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • For potential patients, this information overload—and the social baggage that comes with it—often creates more confusion than clarity.
    Christy Saia-Owenby, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • The pressure comes as confusion swirls around whether President Trump will exempt some businesses from efforts to arrest and deport immigrants living illegally in the United States.
    Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • And best of all, no one could possibly be embarrassed by these empathetic words.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
  • Alyssa seems terrified but doesn’t embarrass herself.
    Chris Feil, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Getty Images To date, the post has amassed more than 900 comments from TikTok viewers, many of them poking fun at the golden retriever mother's annoyed expression and shallow huffs.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Who’s to blame for the embarrassment that has become Lincoln Yards?
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • The problem with toughing it out alone, though, is that a lot of people will continue to isolate themselves for weeks, Brown says, whether out of embarrassment, fear, or pride.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Map their journey to spot every gap, make buying effortless with fewer steps, communicate clearly so no one gets confused, add personal touches that create connection, and follow up fast to turn buyers into advocates.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Letters: Washington, D.C., has a deficit of humanity Do not confuse my warning to Israel for a shred of understanding for what Hamas did on Oct. 7, 2023.
    Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • The deep pockets add both style and practicality—great for a mom to put her card and keys in without the fuss of a purse.
    Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 16 June 2025
  • Through all that high entertainment, Spaun went out in the morning with hardly a fuss and nary a bogey.
    Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • The incident shook windows and rattled dishes, according to local media reports.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
  • With his country having killed some of Iran’s top military commanders and rattled its leadership, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his government’s aerial assault on Iran could trigger the collapse of the regime, opening the door to a popular uprising.
    Dan De Luce, NBC news, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluster. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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