Synonym Chooser

How does the verb discomfit contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of discomfit are abash, disconcert, embarrass, and rattle. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

When is abash a more appropriate choice than discomfit?

In some situations, the words abash and discomfit are roughly equivalent. However, 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

When could disconcert be used to replace discomfit?

The synonyms disconcert and discomfit are sometimes interchangeable, but disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

When can embarrass be used instead of discomfit?

The words embarrass and discomfit can be used in similar contexts, but embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

In what contexts can rattle take the place of discomfit?

While in some cases nearly identical to discomfit, rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of discomfit Greeley also faced vicious political attacks, discomfiting even for a man who was accustomed to controversy. Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Sep. 2024 Five city employees testified that Jacobs subjected them to unwanted, inappropriate or otherwise discomfiting physical contact at work, including a forcible kiss, massages, squeezes and tight hugs. Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 3 Sep. 2024 Such a radical dismantling of intellectual assumptions -- which are rooted in a seemingly ineradicable faith in progressive secularization -- would no doubt discomfit Anderson. Pankaj Mishra, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013 Those passages were both discomfiting and electrifying. Roxana Robinson, TIME, 18 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for discomfit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discomfit
Verb
  • In battle royale games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone, death is an immediate elimination, which can frustrate streamers trying to get exciting footage for their viewers — and there’s nothing more exciting than a win.
    Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Any armchair sleuths hoping to test their clue-cracking skills will be left similarly frustrated by the fact breadcrumbs are practically non-existent throughout.
    Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Get okay with the idea that in the future, your past work will embarrass you.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Other times, the film feels too coy, as if embarrassed by itself.
    Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Most were baffled at the fact the eggs still contained actual egg.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
  • However, she’s baffled at why social media activity may have contributed to the arrest.
    Polo Sandoval, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Dodgers are on Spectrum SportsNet LA, which is not to be confused with Spectrum SportsNet, which carries the Lakers.
    Chad Jennings, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • But don't confuse him with Chris Evans' Human Torch who first cropped up in the 2005 Fantastic Four film and made a memorable cameo in Deadpool and Wolverine last year.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The first 10 minutes of USC’s NCAA tournament debut had been disconcerting enough already.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Poor or limited communication is also deeply disconcerting to candidates and is a key reason for dropping out of the process.
    Rebecca Skilbeck, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Jimmy Kimmel flustered guest Pedro Pascal with a suggestive question about Reed Richards' stretchable body parts on Monday's episode of his late-night show.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025
  • DePaul Prep rallied, though, flustering the Crusaders with a full-court press.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Discomfit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discomfit. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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