flustered 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of flusterednext
as in irritated

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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
On the witness stand, the teenager was reportedly combative and flustered by Jackson’s attorney Tom Mesereau, who attempted to poke holes in Gavin’s testimony and allegedly screamed at the boy throughout. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 June 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
  • Plus, green tea extracts (known for their anti-inflammatory properties), soothe irritated skin and improve skin elasticity, per another study.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of irritated
Verb
  • One night earlier in the tour, a woman Usher had brought onstage rebuked him, which embarrassed him.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2026
  • This isn’t a hypercar to smash lap records around the Nürburgring, but nor will it be embarrassed by a Porsche 911 GT3 at a track day.
    — Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrassed
Adjective
  • Pasadena residents are upset after a bloodied peacock was found in their neighborhood last week after what appeared to be a violent encounter with a mail carrier.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Improved Digestion Bloating, constipation, acid reflux, upset stomach—all are uncomfortable signs of indigestion after eating.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of upset
Verb
  • This reserve should not be confused with a permanent investment strategy.
    — Steve Booren, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026
  • River otters are not to be confused with sea otters, which live in the ocean, bays and harbors and can grow to be up to five feet and 100 pounds.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of confused
Adjective
  • Until Bezos, or any of his new partners, speak publicly, the conversation about what comes next will be nervous.
    — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In a nervous market full of geopolitical tension, IPOs have attracted a lot of investor attention, with AI darlings Anthropic and OpenAI preparing for their own debuts.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 19 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
  • And if the person seems agitated or unpredictable, skip the direct request altogether.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 17 Aug. 2026
  • For the agitated activist—Mike Davis’ Late Victorian Holocausts with Equator.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • He's been charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and theft by taking.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of aggravated

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Cite this Entry

“Flustered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flustered. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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