disconcert

verb

dis·​con·​cert ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt How to pronounce disconcert (audio)
disconcerted; disconcerting; disconcerts

transitive verb

1
: to throw into confusion
disconcerting their plans
2
: to disturb the composure of
were disconcerted by his tone of voice
disconcerting adjective
disconcertingly adverb
disconcertment 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

Examples of disconcert in a Sentence

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
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.
The Dodgers’ track record with young arms is disconcerting, but no other team has the necessary depth to effectively deploy a six-man rotation without compromising its chances of winning. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025 That text message turned out to be the first in a series of disconcerting messages friends and family members would apparently receive from Michael Shaver over the course of the next two and a half years. Paige Harriss, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025 Trump recently vowed to deport Springfield’s Haitian population en masse, even though the vast majority of the Haitian immigrants there are legally authorized to be in the U.S. The threats don’t need to be severe to be disconcerting. Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 20 Sep. 2024 As Dipoto said, none of this seemed terribly disconcerting on June 18, when the Mariners were 44-31 and led the second-place Houston Astros by 10 games. Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disconcert 

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French disconcerter, alteration of Middle French desconcerter, from des- dis- + concerter to concert

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disconcert was in 1632

Dictionary Entries Near disconcert

Cite this Entry

“Disconcert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disconcert. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

disconcert

verb
dis·​con·​cert ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt How to pronounce disconcert (audio)
1
: to disturb the arrangement of : upset
the unexpected event disconcerted their plans
2
: to disturb the self-control of
your frank stare disconcerted me
disconcertingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on disconcert

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