disconcert

verb

dis·con·cert ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt

disconcerted; disconcerting; disconcerts

Synonyms of disconcert next

transitive verb

: to throw into confusion

disconcerting their plans

: to disturb the composure of

were disconcerted by his tone of voice

disconcerting adjective

disconcertingly

ˌdis-kən-ˈsər-tiŋ-lē

adverb

disconcertment

ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt-mənt

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for disconcert

embarrass, discomfit, abash, disconcert, rattle mean to distress by confusing or confounding.

embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

abashed by her swift and cutting retort

disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

Example Sentences

News of his criminal past has disconcerted even his admirers. we were disconcerted by the unexpected changes to the program

Recent Examples on the Web Its ending is notoriously strange — disconcerting even — and the subject of considerable scholarly debate. —

Bonnie Kristian, TheWeek, 12 Apr. 2020 The reasons for these paper profits are disconcerting. —

Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2020 Parents have watched changes in their teens that have been disconcerting. —

Sara Miller Llana, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2020 In Moscow, the lack of snow has been disconcerting. —

Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2020 Of course, there are odd moments, hard moments, disconcerting moments. —

Nell Frizzell, refinery29.com, 23 Feb. 2020 The line needs to play better and more physical, and its performance through five games has to be disconcerting for Nagy and offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. —

Brad Biggs, chicagotribune.com, 10 Oct. 2019 The silence of most of the bishops in the Catholic Church on this embarrassing but destructive mixture of progressivism, reflexive activism, and casual dismissal of the deepest wisdom of the Church is disconcerting. —

Daniel J. Mahoney, National Review, 6 Feb. 2020 To be eliminated before that round even began made watching the weekend’s games disconcerting, as if the Patriots were some sort of football ghost limb, still there in our minds and emotions but absent in all reality. —

Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Jan. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disconcert.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.