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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 disconcert Her face does a disconcerting twitch, eventually curving up into an unconvincing smile. —

Erin Qualey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025 Although this is all psychologically disconcerting, Presence is hardly a traditional work of horror. —

David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2025 Human and puppet limbs are entwined, and there is a sense, both comforting and disconcerting, of a group-individual, like the shadowy figures who merge with the dark in Goya’s Black Paintings. —

Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for disconcert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disconcert

Verb

The publication of The American Black Chamber on June 1, 1931, as well as three preceding articles in the Saturday Evening Post, embarrassed the Japanese.

— Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025
The 2013 incident embarrassed New Orleans, which wanted to show off how well the city had bounced back by hosting the big game for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.

— Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 3 Feb. 2025