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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
But Brozena was not flustered, winning 16 and 18 to end the match. Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025 One is that the leader may have been caught by surprise and is flustered, out of their Window of Tolerance. Dr. Joel Rothaizer, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluster
Noun
  • There was still no panic when, in March 2023, CRH — the world’s biggest building materials supplier — chose to switch to New York.
    Ian King, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • But the real success lies in making hydration a daily habit, not a panic-buying response.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • First, your confusion is kind of the point ‒ today's slang is part of an ever-changing lexicon that separates the young from the young-at-heart.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The Department of Homeland Security has detained hundreds of TPS holders from Venezuela nationwide, creating confusion about how the protections are being applied.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The minor student created memes and posted them on the Instagram account to embarrass and make fun of the students.
    Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • That behavior is embarrassing anywhere, and goes against all of golf etiquette.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Kemp looked at the ceiling and blew a huff of air when Schwartz announced the sentence.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • There are more costs — to say nothing of further public embarrassment — to consider.
    Sean Gentille, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • During reunion weekend, former editors and writers also like to see their youthful work through a lens of nostalgia, (sometimes) embarrassment, and joy.
    Joshua Finnell, JSTOR Daily, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Crotz was initially confused as to why Kjartan had closed himself inside.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • CarShield has received positive comments for its breadth of coverage and quick response times, although some policyholders have complained about claim denials, fine-print surprises and confusing sales practices.
    Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Stop in to see what all the fuss is about.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The ongoing lawsuit isn't the first time the FTC has made a fuss about Amazon's operations recently.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Scott Wartman For years, the windows of homes along the Mill Creek in Cincinnati would occasionally rattle with the sound of explosions.
    Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Still, the sight of her phone slipping from 15% to 8% left her rattled.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluster. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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