as in embarrassing
causing embarrassment
a flustering situation that left us all silent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of flustering
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
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
-
The spectacle was sufficiently embarrassing that the Prime Minister decreed within a week that executions would theretofore be hidden behind prison doors.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
There are languishing eight-figure listings and embarrassing price cuts.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As if that wasn’t confusing enough, not all Christians agree on what day of the calendar that specific Sunday is.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
4 Apr. 2026
-
However, following the path of Artemis II may be confusing as the astronauts, mission control and others use confusing jargon and phrases.—
ByMary Kekatos,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Mary Washington’s Kye Robinson attempted an awkward, off-balance shot that missed the rim and landed in the hands of teammate Colin Mitchell under the basket.—
Michael Cunningham,
AJC.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Porsha shuts down any further messy conversations, choosing instead to focus on being a good host, ending the night with an awkward kiss with her fake boyfriend.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The 6-foot-2 Strong — AP’s Player of the Year — was bothered by South Carolina’s interior size, with several of her inside shots rattling in and out.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Since strikes began in February, Iran has blocked tanker traffic through the strait, sending global energy prices surging and rattling financial markets.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
As this video below from The Athletic explains, the key to making Luis Enrique’s side uncomfortable in possession is to be brave and press high.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Sutskever seemed uncomfortable with this idea.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a lot of disconcerting news about AI in journalism lately.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The news is disconcerting for nearby residents like Moody.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The response from me is very unpleasant, and then my husband gets all uncomfortable.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Finally, a carbon filter is used to eliminate odors such as ammonia, cigarette smoke, hydrogen sulfide, and other pollutants that emit unpleasant smells.—
John R. Delaney,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There were also high-arcing 3-pointers that touched nothing but the net, a difficult runner through contact that went in, and the kind of gravity that gave Kristaps Porzingis a layup just by cutting into space while the big man dove.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Some things in life are difficult.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flustering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flustering. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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