DISCONCERT Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'disconcert' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disconcert are abash , discomfit , embarrass , and rattle . While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy. // disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

Q: When is it sensible to use 'abash' instead of 'disconcert'?

The meanings of abash and disconcert largely overlap; 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

Q: When can 'discomfit' be used instead of 'disconcert'?

The words discomfit and disconcert can be used in similar contexts, but discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion. // hecklers discomfited the speaker

Q: When would 'embarrass' be a good substitute for 'disconcert'?

In some situations, the words embarrass and disconcert are roughly equivalent. However, embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action. // the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

Q: When might 'rattle' be a better fit than 'disconcert'?

Although the words rattle and disconcert have much in common, rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment. // rattled by all the television cameras

disconcert

verb

ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt

Definition of disconcert next

as in to embarrass

to throw into a state of self-conscious distress we were disconcerted by the unexpected changes to the program

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disconcert contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disconcert are abash, discomfit, embarrass, and rattle. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

When is it sensible to use abash instead of disconcert?

The meanings of abash and disconcert largely overlap; 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 can discomfit be used instead of disconcert?

The words discomfit and disconcert can be used in similar contexts, but discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

When would embarrass be a good substitute for disconcert?

In some situations, the words embarrass and disconcert are roughly equivalent. However, embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

When might rattle be a better fit than disconcert?

Although the words rattle and disconcert have much in common, rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

Examples 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 disconcert The exterior portions tend to get overcooked, while parts of the meat closer to the bone have the tendency to be rare, and the discrepancy can be disconcerting, says Pandel. —

Mary Squillace, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2024 There is something especially disconcerting seeing Vladimir Putin smiling like the cat who ate the canary at this week’s BRICs Summit. —

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024 Shooting that scene, Radia told me, involved putting a lot of trust in Kay and Down to make sure the violence had the appropriate level of disconcerting surprise. —

Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024 Love bombing can be highly negative and trick someone into a relationship that is dour and disconcerting. —

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disconcert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disconcert

Verb

Once again, get ready to avoid embarrassing the CFO.

Martha Amram, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
The Bears lost in humiliating fashion on Sunday, but a player's behavior late in the game has embarrassed fans more than the actual loss. Driving the news: With the Bears one play away from victory, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was caught taunting the D.C. crowd.

Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024