Synonyms of fluster

fluster 1 of 2

noun

1

as in panic

a state of nervous or irritated concern

all the yelling on the bus put the driver in a fluster

Synonyms & Similar Words

• panic
• huff
• fuss
• sweat
• fret
• tizzy
• lather
• dither
• stew
• swelter
• swivet
• pother
• twitter
• pique
• dudgeon
• hysteria
• agitation
• bother
• delirium
• alarm
• ado
• hand-wringing
• nervous breakdown
• distraction
• furor
• uproar

2

as in confusion

the emotional state of being made self-consciously uncomfortable

there was a palpable fluster in the audience when I asked my awkward question

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confusion
• embarrassment
• unease
• discomfort
• discomfiture
• humiliation
• mortification
• dismay
• upset
• abashment
• shame
• agitation
• distress
• chagrin
• egg on one's face
• uneasiness
• perturbation
• disconcertment
• discomposure
• disturbance
• disquiet
• bother
• ignominy
• degradation
• disgrace
• debasement
• humble pie

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

fluster

2 of 2

verb

ˈflə-stər 

as in to embarrass

to throw into a state of self-conscious distress

was flustered when her parents dragged out her baby pictures for her new boyfriend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• embarrass
• confuse
• rattle
• disconcert
• bother
• disturb
• faze
• mortify
• upset
• distress
• unsettle
• confound
• discountenance
• discomfit
• nonplus
• abash
• discomfort
• humiliate
• perturb
• disquiet
• dismay
• agitate
• unhinge
• discompose
• shame
• put off
• humble
• chagrin
• demean
• put out
• debase
• degrade
• queer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relieve
• calm
• comfort
• soothe
• encourage
• console
• cheer
• assure
• reassure
• hearten
• embolden
• buoy

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

Recent Examples of fluster

Noun

Olsen plays Joan’s indecision with winsome fluster, at first breathy and trembling but eventually finding her resolve. —Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025

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

Verb

His strong, powerful hands can help collapse the pocket and make quarterbacks flustered. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026

Stidham was clearly flustered by it more and more as the game went along. —Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2026