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
  • While the housing bill got lost among numerous priorities during this year’s legislative session, top leaders are now laser-focused on the issue and will not be distracted.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
  • The president’s critics, meanwhile, accuse him of using the scandal to distract from stalled reforms and growing public dissatisfaction.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • While notification bundles were an option before, they were primarily used for messaging, and not all developers bothered.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2025
  • If Waldron wasn’t battered, then Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was hardly bothered.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • The apostles are alarmed, but Jesus understands his destiny is coming.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 30 June 2025
  • The entire affair—the opening, the closing, the paranoia, and then the alarming news of a shooting (which was unrelated and, thankfully, nonfatal)—could be easily put down to the vagaries of big-city life.
    Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • When Test Track officially opens on July 22, guests will not have to worry about virtual queues.
    Megan duBois, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
  • Mellinger now worries the department will not be able to meet its five-year goals for key performance indicators, which measure progress on the county’s biggest public health challenges.
    Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Their love is reignited in the most unlikely form, but not everyone welcomes her return—especially March’s family, still unsettled by a ghostly presence that appeared after a factory worker’s death forced their business to close.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 July 2025
  • The chaotic shuttering of USAID by Trump and Elon Musk and the still unfolding humanitarian fallout in several African countries has unsettled many.
    Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The report was issued Tuesday at 12:51 a.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Tuesday at 12:53 a.m.
    Kansas City Star Bot Updated July 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2025
  • As far as the luxury tax is concerned, deferred money is discounted annually during the term of the contract.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 July 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 11 Jul. 2025.

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