discomfit

1 of 2

verb

dis·​com·​fit dis-ˈkəm(p)-fət 

 especially Southern  ˌdis-kəm-ˈfit

discomfited; discomfiting; discomfits

transitive verb

1

: to put into a state of perplexity and embarrassment : disconcert

was discomfited by the question

2

a

: to frustrate the plans of : thwart

discomfit our foes

b

archaic : to defeat in battle

the ground … strewn with the discomfited

—Stephen Crane

discomfitingly

dis-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tiŋ-lē 

ˌdīs-kəm-ˈfi-

adverb

discomfit

2 of 2

noun

: the state of being confused, embarrassed, or upset : discomfiture

Did you know?

Disconcerted by discomfit and discomfort? While the two look similar and share some semantic territory, they’re etymologically unrelated. Unlike discomfort, discomfit has no connection to comfort, which comes ultimately from the Latin adjective fortis, meaning “strong.” Instead, discomfit was borrowed from Anglo-French in the 13th century with the meaning “to defeat in battle.” Within a couple centuries, discomfit had expanded beyond the battlefield to mean “to thwart,” a meaning that eventually softened into the now-common “to disconcert or confuse” use—one quite close to the uneasiness and annoyance communicated by discomfort. For a time, usage commentators were keen to keep a greater distance between discomfit and discomfort; they recommended that discomfit be limited to its original “to defeat” meaning, but they’ve largely given up now, and the “disconcert or confuse” meaning is fully established. There is one major difference between discomfit and discomfort, though: discomfit is used almost exclusively as a verb, while discomfort is much more commonly used as a noun than a verb.

Synonyms

Verb

• baffle
• balk
• beat
• checkmate
• foil
• frustrate
• thwart

Choose the Right Synonym for discomfit

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

Examples of discomfit in a Sentence

Verb

constant interruptions discomfited her in her attempt to finish the speech, and she finally gave up

he was discomfited by the awkward situation of having his ex-girlfriend meet his current one

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The points this story makes about the human capacity for empathy, who merits collective forgiveness, and the stubborn persistence of the death penalty are discomfiting. —Sarah Weinman, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024

Greeley also faced vicious political attacks, discomfiting even for a man who was accustomed to controversy. —Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Sep. 2024

Noun

The discomfit of his rivals has been a political gift to Macron. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French descumfit, past participle of descumfire, from des- dis- + cumfire to prepare — more at comfit

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Noun

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

discomfit

verb

dis·​com·​fit

dis-ˈkəm(p)-fət,

 especially Southern  ˌdis-kəm-ˈfit

: to make confused or upset

the speaker was discomfited by the embarrassing question

discomfiture

dis-ˈkəm(p)-fə-ˌchu̇(ə)r

-fə-chər

noun