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fluster

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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
The Wolfsburg goals rattled both centre-backs who were easily flustered by a high press that quickly intensified. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 25 Aug. 2024 For that reason, presidents and secretaries of state have often been annoyed or flustered by it. Gary J. Bass, Foreign Affairs, 3 Feb. 2017 See all Example Sentences for fluster 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluster
Noun
  • Perhaps some kids think that creating a national panic could be fun.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
  • In that time, a small panic brewed and conspiracy theories ran wild.
    Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • There was also confusion concerning Blaise’s whereabouts when Bailey died.
    Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Avoid using jargon or complex language that could result in any confusion.
    James Bryant, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • If two people actually did this on a real-life New Year’s Eve TV show today, the clip would immediately go viral and everyone would be making fun of them on social media with snarky commentary and embarrassing GIFs and a hashtag: #newyearscrazydance.
    Bob Sassone, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
  • And then, on this trip in the last several days, living in the shadow of this larger-than-life character and feeling constantly put upon and shamed by him and embarrassed by him.
    Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 12 Dec. 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
  • There was not one single person wearing the exact same thing, and so any feelings of embarrassment about wearing a toilet with a head popping out of it on my back were washed away.
    George Yang, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2024
  • But Thornton showed no sign of scorn or even embarrassment.
    Daisy Hildyard, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Biden mixes up French president with deceased predecessor Things got messier in February when Biden confused current French President Emmanuel Macron with former French President François Mitterrand — who died in 1996.
    Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Dec. 2024
  • But fans were confused as to why the flag was thrown.
    Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 25 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The accompanying dispenser easily slices through tape to create clean lines without fuss, and a high volume of positive shopper ratings have earned this tape an impressive 4.3-star rating.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2024
  • One other final point is that a lot of fuss was made over the female protagonists in Witch from Mercury.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • While Fed officials formally insist markets don't sway their decisions, economists say the central bank doesn't like to rattle them.
    Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
  • That effect was on display on Viejas Mountain, where winds whipped the peak’s western flank Tuesday morning, rattling bushes near the 4,187-foot summit.
    Karen Kucher, The Mercury News, 11 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near fluster

Cite this Entry

“Fluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluster. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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