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
Sagal didn’t hold back with her reply, getting Danson a little flustered. — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026 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
Verb
The Germans dominated the match after the break but struggled to break down Paraguay’s defense as the South Americans once again assumed the compact defending that had flustered Turkey and Australia in the opening group stage. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 29 June 2026 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 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
  • If your tears lack oil, your eyes can become irritated and dry more easily.
    — Nancy LeBrun, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of irritated
Verb
  • All must be corrected or the Dolphins could be embarrassed by the Chiefs.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of embarrassed
Adjective
  • But there were clearly hundreds of Disney employees who were very upset about that.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Many have responded to Swan Song negatively, with RadarOnline previously reporting that some royal observers are upset that Spencer is looking to reopen old wounds while Charles is battling cancer.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of upset
Verb
  • The arrests generated massive amounts of headlines on both sides of the Atlantic, and many were confused when the suspects were released on bail the next day.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 29 Sep. 2026
  • While accepting the Moon Person, fans watching at home were confused when the sound cut out as Carpenter was talking.
    — Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of confused
Adjective
  • But Democrats are arguing that Trump is going to red states like Alabama because Republicans are nervous.
    — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The admittedly nervous executive started Monday’s news conferences by apologizing to the Clippers’ faithful for the aftermath of the Leonard situation.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of nervous
Verb
  • Rebecca Noble/Reuters Hiring grew much less than expected in September as a monthslong surge of inflation weighed on shoppers and rattled bond markets, according to the federal government's monthly jobs report.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • More swings in the bond market rattled stock markets around the world on Thursday.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of rattled
Adjective
  • Altercations between agitated people with dementia and other residents or workers charged with caring for them are disturbingly common in long-term care facilities and private homes.
    — Jordan Rau, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Migratory birds in captivity develop Zugunruhe, an agitated fitfulness, at certain times of year.
    — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • The court accepted his plea and found Williams guilty of two counts of aggravated endangering a child, according to a news release from the office of the Leavenworth County Attorney.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
  • 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
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 5 Oct. 2026.

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