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

Her self-possession is at points a touch disconcerting; breaking eye contact is not her style. —Funmi Fetto, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2025

Celebrities on the publicity circuit who are accustomed to the usual techniques and tricks of interviewers—softball questions, fawning compliments—find themselves in a different and disconcerting dynamic. —Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025

And disconcerting moments are in the show, such as the larger-than-life black widow spiders that dangle from the ceiling. —Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025

Right from the start, there’s a neo-noir like feel to Gerster’s suspenseful portrait, accentuated by its atonal and slightly disconcerting score. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 Feb. 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