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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
Perreault-Magny said frightened and flustered migrants sometimes try to climb into his unmarked patrol pickup, mistaking it for a smuggler coming to collect them. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Basabe, a former reality TV personality and socialite who was first elected to the Florida House in 2022, appeared flustered. — Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Verb
Proving he wasn't flustered, Gay judged length well, left the ball well, and picked his shots, especially against dangerous New Zealand quicks Will O'Rourke and Smith. — ABC News, 18 June 2026 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 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
  • The dog’s ribs poked out, her skin was irritated and red, and patches of fur were missing — a possible sign of mange.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • My skin doesn’t get irritated either, thanks to the green tea, which reduces redness and calms the skin barrier.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, InStyle, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of irritated
Verb
  • Yeah, the Cardinals — led by rookie head coach Mike LaFleur, the Rams’ former offensive coordinator — embarrassed the Bolts at home.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The disclosure embarrassed senior officials, led to White House aide Scooter Libby’s conviction for perjury, later commuted, and drew intense political scrutiny.
    — Brian O'Neill, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of embarrassed
Adjective
  • The council couldn’t ignore it because so many people were upset.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026
  • According to RadarOnline, some are upset that Spencer is looking to reopen old wounds at such a complicated time for Charles.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of upset
Verb
  • But the decision left many in the football community confused, with an online petition started by alumnus Tim Hanrahan garnering more than 3,000 signatures.
    — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • This is where things get messy, and many folks — oligarchs in particular — become invested in keeping the general voter confused.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of confused
Adjective
  • Gael is herself a little nervous, not only about the tension but about leaving Kayden.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Just after the sun melted into the sea a deer trotted by, followed by its more nervous baby.
    — David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of nervous
Verb
  • The break-in also rattled people who live nearby, including Porsche Hopkins, a regular customer who lives down the street.
    — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The six cases do not include the Hugging Face incident that rattled the AI sector.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of rattled
Adjective
  • Migratory birds in captivity develop Zugunruhe, an agitated fitfulness, at certain times of year.
    — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Following instructions from the kidnappers (unbeknownst to his increasingly agitated comrades), Lee drives out to meet them for the exchange, only to wreck his car and become distracted saving a nearby woman, Hua (Moon Lee).
    — Jake Cole, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • The driver of the pickup truck, 21-year-old Jesse David Lovato, has since been arrested and is facing charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault, according to the outlets.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026
  • On Monday, Hamby was charged with murder, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony, jail records show.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggravated

Browse Nearby Words

fluster
flustered
flustering
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Cite this Entry

“Flustered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flustered. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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