Definition of perturbnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb perturb contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of perturb are agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, fluster, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

In what contexts can agitate take the place of perturb?

Although the words agitate and perturb have much in common, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When would discompose be a good substitute for perturb?

While the synonyms discompose and perturb are close in meaning, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When is disquiet a more appropriate choice than perturb?

While in some cases nearly identical to perturb, disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

When can disturb be used instead of perturb?

In some situations, the words disturb and perturb are roughly equivalent. However, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Where would fluster be a reasonable alternative to perturb?

The words fluster and perturb can be used in similar contexts, but fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When might upset be a better fit than perturb?

The meanings of upset and perturb largely overlap; however, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

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 perturb Brunson was clearly perturbed by the sound of his friend chewing while in front of a microphone. James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 3 June 2026 However, some users are perturbed by the new home screen. Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026 Weston Richey, a 25-year-old Texan photographer with whom Kyra seemed to be perturbed, pulled her for a chat to try to figure out why she was annoyed with him. Anna Peele, Vulture, 20 May 2026 The survey reflects a sense that Americans may be growing less concerned about dying, and more perturbed by the financial implications of remaining alive. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for perturb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perturb
Verb
  • The first trailer stars Keitel drinking in a bar, while the second sees DeVito’s sleep getting disturbed by a phone call.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2026
  • What a depressing, disturbing waste, no matter the final verdict.
    Bob Wojnowski, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Efforts to organize and tidy often turned into sitting on the floor surrounded by piles of stuff and getting easily distracted with sentimental finds.
    Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 29 June 2026
  • But that was a bit ago, and there is a theory now that perhaps this is starting to leak, or maybe be confirmed soon, to distract from the recent, very poor performance of Supergirl in theaters.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • For all the chatter about his choices in handbags, Haaland doesn’t seem remotely bothered.
    Teddy Brown, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • What bothers me is the foot-dragging, the spinning in circles, the slow degradation of these characters into annoying stereotypes.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Those measures, however, have alarmed privacy advocates, who argue that age-gating the internet would affect all users — not just children.
    Angela Yang, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • That’s alarmed the National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents about 400 nurses and staff at two psychiatric hospitals in Sacramento.
    Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • But prosecutors said their further investigation raised significant doubts about those conclusions, worrying them that a jury would not find Hobby guilty of an arson charge.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 25 June 2026
  • Some academic leaders worry that the report might drive students away from programs that encompass the core of human knowledge.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • One concern is parents of autistic children, who often have gastrointestinal issues, though the science linking those issues to autism is unsettled.
    Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026
  • Warner offers little comfort to executives unsettled by last week’s events.
    Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • On Election Day, Schlossberg was campaigning out in the rain despite the concerning polls, hearing stories from passersby about their Kennedy encounters over the years and taking selfies with starstruck supporters.
    Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
  • One of the increasingly concerning threats is drones, which can be piloted remotely and are difficult to disable.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Allow room for your items to move freely and to be agitated.
    Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026
  • After that, the day shift starts agitating for a pizza party.
    Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Perturb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perturb. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

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