FLUSTERING Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

flustering 1 of 2

adjective

as in embarrassing

causing embarrassment a flustering situation that left us all silent

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flustering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of fluster

as in confusing

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 flustering

Verb

The Pistons’ defense is swarming and flustering the Cavs. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 8 May 2026 But Seymour threw on a press, flustering the Patriots, who began to turn the ball over. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 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

There had been an embarrassing episode in Scotland, again on a golf course, in which Harp had made the gaffe of being overly clingy.

— Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
But a week ago the Panthers felt like a worrisome bunch, one that got outplayed in an embarrassing 29-14 exhibition loss to Buffalo.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Verb

Evans also cautioned against confusing maximal lifespan for a healthy lifespan.

— Lauren Chan, STAT, 20 Aug. 2026
Thompson acknowledged that confusing the quarterback, like the defense appeared to do on that play, is a big part of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme.

— Jon Machota, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of confusing

Adjective

The Moon in Pisces moves through your 6th House of Work, Health, and Daily Routines while making an awkward angle to Venus in Libra and your 1st House of Self.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
Most of us have felt awkward during those first tentative steps back into dating.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of awkward

Verb

Canada’s response to Trump’s persistent tariff saber rattling has also illustrated key differences in the way North American trading partners are approaching trade in the 21st century.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
Since his cancellation, Stephen Colbert has spoken openly of FCC chairman Brendan Carr’s role in rattling the late-night cage.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of rattling

Verb

It is filled with off-putting, perhaps even disconcerting antics, and teams don't want to add that to their locker room.

— Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
One less gory but still disconcerting video shown in court was the bodycam footage from the night in February 2024 when members of the LA County Sheriff’s Department paid a visit to Burke’s Hollywood Hills home.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 July 2026

Definition of disconcerting

Adjective

Activewear After sweating it out in your beloved activewear, avoid using the hotter temperatures in the washing machine to sanitize and remove unpleasant odors.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026
The mediocre screen was an unpleasant surprise given that this thing advertised 100 percent sRGB gamut coverage when it was announced and on its product page for many weeks (the Internet Archive captures it here).

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of unpleasant

Adjective

The California Board of Pharmacy in 2025 reversed course on regulations that would have made the supplement more difficult to acquire after pushback from some firefighters.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Striking out on her own was a difficult transition, but embracing her solitude gave her the space to learn more about herself and make her own personal decisions, such as getting her cat or making meals of her choosing.

— Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

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“Flustering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flustering. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of flustering

adjective

verb

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