disconcert

verb

dis·​con·​cert ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt 

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

ˌdis-kən-ˈsər-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

disconcertment

ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• abash
• confound
• confuse
• discomfit
• discountenance
• embarrass
• faze
• fluster
• mortify
• nonplus
• rattle

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

Yes, Biden had gone into that disconcerting whisper mode among that one clutch. —Jake Tapper, New Yorker, 13 May 2025

In addition to the loss of leadership, Stern said cutting NIH's ties to the Safe to Sleep campaign sends a disconcerting message to families who have experienced infant loss. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 10 May 2025

In the bond market, Treasury yields continued to ease following their disconcerting run higher earlier this month. —Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025

Fans of Carlos Santana were left disconcerted Tuesday night after the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was rushed to the hospital and forced to cancel his April 22 show. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for disconcert

• controvert
• extrovert
• introvert
• reassert
• undershirt
• alert
• assert
• avert
• dessert
• divert
• evert
• exert

Kids Definition

disconcert

verb

dis·​con·​cert ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt 

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

-iŋ-lē 

adverb