fluster 1 of 2

fluster

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb fluster contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fluster are agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When might agitate be a better fit than fluster?

The words agitate and fluster can be used in similar contexts, but agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When would discompose be a good substitute for fluster?

While in some cases nearly identical to fluster, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When could disquiet be used to replace fluster?

The synonyms disquiet and fluster are sometimes interchangeable, but disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

When can disturb be used instead of fluster?

In some situations, the words disturb and fluster are roughly equivalent. However, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

In what contexts can perturb take the place of fluster?

Although the words perturb and fluster have much in common, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When is upset a more appropriate choice than fluster?

While the synonyms upset and fluster are close in meaning, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

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 fluster
Noun
There’s cringe comedy in their fluster opposite her flamboyant imbecility. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2023 In the 4 1/2 games Chubb missed, the Browns had their quarterback win a game (Bengals), needed last-second heroics from Odell Beckham Jr. in Dallas, and had the defense fluster Colts quarterback Phillip Rivers into two interceptions and a safety. Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, 12 Nov. 2020
Verb
That discipline started on the defensive side, where Parkville played an aggressive brand of team defense, flustering the normally strong Franklin offense. Aidan Thomas, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2024 Working with cats might fluster other actors, but not McKinnon. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 30 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fluster 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluster
Noun
  • The first bird of the day never fails to throw me into a panic.
    Jack O’Connor, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Owners are often advised to keep their pets indoors and in a safe place if fireworks are going to be let off in their local area, to prevent any panic in the pet.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • In Arizona, that ruling left confusion between two conflicting laws, and temporarily stopped clinics from providing abortions as courts worked out what was legal in the state.
    Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The crowd immediately erupted into laughter while Dismukes looked between the two in confusion.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 3 Nov. 2024
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
Noun
  • Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.
    Oshan Jarow, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
  • The huffs and hums, produced by two women standing face-to-face and vocalizing from their throats, is believed to be one of the oldest music forms in the world.
    Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2024
Noun
  • Boeing acquired Spirit for $8.3 billion earlier this year in large part because of a major manufacturing embarrassment.
    Melvin Backman, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
  • The security breach was a U.S. embarrassment, and the Air Force later disciplined 15 personnel after the service’s inspector general found numerous officials who had been aware of his suspicious behavior but failed to take necessary action.
    Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • While the technical side of blockchain may still confuse most people, the concept of digital currency is mainstream.
    Lisa Loud, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • But also tossed into the mix is electronic warfare, and its ability to confuse, throw off and shut down navigation systems on weapons flying across the battlefield each day.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The sports world is making a big fuss about 20-time NBA All-Star LeBron James playing on the same team as his 20-year-old son, Bronny.
    DeMarco Williams, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Morbius, meanwhile, sold itself with trailers featuring Spider-Man graffiti that doesn’t appear in the actual movie and made a bunch of fuss about a post-credits scene involving Michael Keaton’s MCU baddie the Vulture that ultimately didn’t make any sense nor amount to anything.
    James Grebey, TIME, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Trump, who has held an edge on the economy in most polls, has been going full bore on the issue, proposing a bevy of individual tax breaks and general tariffs that could rattle the world of international trade.
    Tobias Burns, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Just before our trip began, a group of St. Louis Neo Nazis had draped swastikas on an overpass in an act of pre-election saber rattling.
    Dan Sheehan, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near fluster

Cite this Entry

“Fluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluster. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on fluster

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!