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

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 On July 21, the world was stunned by the announcement that President Joe Biden, under pressure from the democratic party following a disconcerting debate performance, had officially decided not to pursue re-election that November. —

Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 18 Dec. 2024 Pitt’s Paul is the charismatic one; Peter, who speaks in a voice barely louder than a whisper, has the disconcerting fragility of a starstruck follower. —

Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024 Reverting to a primal version of itself, the Cure retraces the steps leading up to our disconcerting present, wondering what went wrong. —

Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024 This is disconcerting in a number of ways—women are a majority of the electorate and vote at a higher rate than men—so this could explain any discrepancies between the final poll estimates (coming Sunday and Monday) and the actual vote outcome. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disconcert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disconcert

Verb

But the fanbases of those games are not buying it, and have undergone a campaign to embarrass Musk as much as possible about his claims, dragging him into childish internet fights.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
And, yes, some justices should also regret embarrassing the court by needlessly attracting attention to their ethics.

— Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025