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 But Trump is suddenly perturbed by the mere mention of TACO. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025 Trump is perturbed by the lack of movement but is nevertheless still ordering his envoy Steve Witkoff to continue his efforts. Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025 That’s me in the stairwell, double-exposed over Shailene on the backstage staircase. 06 of 09 Into the Night Zach always looks this handsome, and this perturbed. Chris Lowell and Raven Brunner, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Draisaitl seemed perturbed to be asked about how well the Oilers are keeping the puck out of the net, just as McDavid was after Game 5. Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for perturb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perturb
Verb
  • The Heisenberg uncertainty principle teaches us that observation disturbs the observed.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Hammond, not wanting the dinosaurs disturbed, sends behavioral paleontologist Sarah Harding (Julianne Moore) to Isla Sorna, where the dinosaurs have been living without human interference.
    Will Harris, EW.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Shepherding that split to reality will leave WBD leadership distracted for a year, Martin estimated.
    David Bloom, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • Cho, as the perceptive and generous Jin, distracted from his own family troubles by the sudden flashes of Casey’s bright light, is wise and rejuvenated; disinterested admiration makes this man, who looks to be in his forties, nearly a teen-ager again.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Also on this episode: With Emmy nomination voting ending on Monday, the Roundtable takes one more look at the major categories, how the number of submissions has changed some of the competition and who didn’t bother to join in.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 June 2025
  • Orban said in February that organisers should not even bother organizing Pride in Budapest this year.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • The man, wearing a black polo and slacks, looked up from a table saw, alarmed.
    Dan Greene, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
  • The potential downside of glucose monitoring is that people who are (perhaps needlessly) alarmed by their CGM data will swap out healthy carbs such as fruit and whole grains for foods that are less healthy—butter, for example, or bacon and red meat.
    Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • In Boca Raton, the government campus project has drawn concern, with some residents worrying about the relocation of the current sports facilities there, encroaching on the nearby neighborhoods and actually adding traffic to the city despite one of the goals being to reduce it.
    Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025
  • Especially considering that defenses would also have to worry about DK Metcalf on the other side of the field. Also read: Commanders Owner Pays Steep Investment in Jayden Daniels As of now, there have been no signs that McLaurin's holdout is going to end with the Commanders trading him.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • There, Mac takes on a role between Puck and Prospero, donning a joker’s cap to jokingly-and-not unsettle your expectations of how a play should end.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 June 2025
  • In emotionally manipulative dynamics, this can leave the other person confused and unsettled.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • As far as disputes are concerned, the technology that has increasingly been used to intercede is blockchain.
    Saro McKenna, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • But there is often a tradeoff between civil liberties and crime prevention and, where minors are concerned, protection must come first.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • As soon as Musk and Trump began bashing one another in earnest on Thursday, the GOP base immediately started agitating in three big directions.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 6 June 2025
  • The kid is flunking out of private school, has spearheaded a dozen or more extracurricular clubs, agitates to have Latin added to the curriculum, and directs a remarkably detailed stage production of Serpico.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perturb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perturb. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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