flustered 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of flusterednext
as in irritated

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

flustered

2 of 2

verb

past tense of fluster
as in embarrassed
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 flustered
Adjective
Clayton appeared frustrated and flustered as Ossoff repeated the question several times. — Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 Rikke and Karl’s mother Vibeke (Dyrholm) — from whom Karl has pointedly distanced himself for some time, and who has never even met Emilie, let alone the baby — arrives to a flurry of flustered introductions and hastily rearranged expressions. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 July 2026
Verb
Colbert was flustered, to say the least, during the interview afterward. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026 This comes up every few years, and everyone gets all flustered every few years. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flustered
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flustered
  1. irritated
  2. embarrassed
  3. upset
  4. confused
  5. nervous
  6. rattled
  7. agitated
  8. aggravated
Adjective
  • Showering too close to bedtime, using very hot water, or staying in too long can leave you overheated, sweaty, or with dry, irritated skin.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 4 Aug. 2026
  • While occasionally rinsing with cold water may have some benefits, using very hot or cold water to wash your face can lead to dry, irritated skin.
    — Sherri Gordon, HEALTH, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritated
Verb
  • One month later, Europe embarrassed the United States on American soil at the Ryder Cup.
    — Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026
  • The suitors embarrassed themselves one by one, until Antinous demanded Penelope simply choose the best of them.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
Definition of embarrassed
Adjective
  • Once the veteran players and most of the top seeds vanished from the Canadian Open, succumbing to injury and upset, the stakes of the tournament in Montreal took on a new edge.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Council member Chris Whatley said the entire council has been upset about the news of a data center, and vowed to do everything in his official capacity to protect Keller residents.
    — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of upset
Verb
  • Adam seems confused by the request, while Ingeborg is perfectly obliging.
    — Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Court reporters — not to be confused with journalists who cover court matters — had objected to the state Supreme Court petition, but not to oppose those whose rights were being compromised by the diminished access to official court transcripts.
    — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of confused
Adjective
  • Severe illness can affect the central nervous symptom and result in hospitalization or death.
    — Rashad Williams, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Given all that, is Green nervous about working within the system once more?
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of nervous
Verb
  • The quake, at a depth of about 10 kilometers (6 miles) off the coast of Flores, rattled much of the island and sent residents fleeing in panic.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Our passing usually rattled grasshoppers into careening flight.
    — Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of rattled
Adjective
  • For the agitated activist—Mike Davis’ Late Victorian Holocausts with Equator.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes, Brun appeared agitated or sweaty at council meetings.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • Oklahoma City saw increases in homicides, rapes and robberies, while aggravated assaults only decreased by eight year-over-year.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Chicago police said Lavonne Glenn, 32, has been charged with felony counts of first murder and aggravated assault.
    — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggravated

Browse Nearby Words

fluster
flustered
flustering
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flustered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flustered. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on flustered

Nglish: Translation of flustered for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All