flustering 1 of 2

Definition of flusteringnext

flustering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of fluster

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 flustering
Verb
But Seymour threw on a press, flustering the Patriots, who began to turn the ball over. Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026 South Carolina was flying all over the court to start the game, completely flustering freshman guard Aubrey Galvan and forcing three Commodores turnovers in 30 seconds to open an 11-2 lead in less than two minutes. Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 In the first half the Horned Frogs were successful in flustering the freshman. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flustering
Adjective
  • Illinois also has anti-cyberbullying laws and is among 46 states that have laws addressing the growing and embarrassing problem of deepfakes, spread usually by teen boys.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Dating back to that Western Conference finals series last year against the Oilers, the Stars have dropped five straight playoff games by embarrassing margins.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Welcome to Asking for a Friend, a weekly series dedicated to solving the messy, awkward, and confusing parts of modern friendship.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 22 Apr. 2026
  • But factors like confusing trailheads and limited provisions mean that going alone also comes with unique risks.
    Allison Forsyth, Health, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Cavaliere made headlines earlier this year by banning Chappell Roan from ever performing at the concert after the singer had an awkward encounter with the stepdaughter of Brazilian soccer player Jorginho.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is one of Washington’s enduring, if somewhat awkward, rituals.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That includes the stories behind the backboard-rattling dunks and blocks on the basketball court.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Though brief, Yoon’s martial law decree threw the country into a severe political crisis, paralyzing politics and high-level diplomacy and rattling financial markets.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • After consulting with the Ravens’ team physician — and those of the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants — DeCosta became uncomfortable with the prognosis.
    Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • No longer in the context of the coffee shop, the manager looked uncomfortable and out of place, his power diminished, an average guy in a bad suit, who had had to take time off from his job to come downtown to a federal office in an Art Deco building.
    Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There was also some disconcerting history to consider.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026
  • There’s a lot of disconcerting news about AI in journalism lately.
    Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The dusty chocolate coating is bitter and unpleasant, and there isn’t enough salt to offset it.
    Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Some of it has been very unpleasant for me and many others, especially those who look like me.
    CBS News, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • But with the Lightning taking back home-ice advantage with this win and the series shifting back to Tampa, where Cooper will have full control of the matchup, the task becomes that much more difficult for the Suzuki line.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flustering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flustering. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on flustering

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster