Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

fluster

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of fluster

1 a state of nervous or irritated concern
  • all the yelling on the bus put the driver in a fluster
Synonyms of fluster

dither, fret, fuss, huff, lather, pother, stew, sweat, swelter, swivet, tizzy, twitter
Words Related to fluster

bother, dudgeon, pique

alarm (also alarum), hand-wringing, panic

ado, agitation, delirium, distraction, furor, hysteria, uproar

nervous breakdown
2 the emotional state of being made self-consciously uncomfortable
  • there was a palpable fluster in the audience when I asked my awkward question
Synonyms of fluster

abashment, confusion, discomfiture, disconcertment, embarrassment, mortification
Words Related to fluster

agitation, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discomposure, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturbance, perturbation, unease, uneasiness, upset

disgrace, ignominy, shame

debasement, degradation, humiliation, mortification

humble pie
Phrases Synonymous with fluster

egg on one's face
Near Antonyms of fluster

aplomb, assurance, composure, confidence, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-assurance, self-confidence, self-possession

fluster

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of fluster

to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
  • was flustered when her parents dragged out her baby pictures for her new boyfriend
Synonyms of fluster

abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, mortify, nonplus, rattle
Words Related to fluster

agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, put off, put out, unhinge, unsettle, upset

debase, degrade, demean, humble, humiliate, queer, shame
Near Antonyms of fluster

calm, comfort, console, relieve, soothe

buoy, cheer, embolden, encourage, hearten

assure, reassure

Synonym Discussion of fluster

discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, agitate, upset, fluster mean to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action. discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.
    • discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife
disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.
    • the disquieting news of factories closing
disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.
    • the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me
perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.
    • perturbed by her husband's strange behavior
agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.
    • in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work
upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.
    • the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child
fluster suggests bewildered agitation.
    • his declaration of love completely flustered her

Learn More about fluster

  1. See words that rhyme with fluster Dictionary: Definition of fluster Spanish Central: Translation of fluster Nglish: Translation of fluster for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up fluster? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games