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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

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 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
If someone isn’t flustered by [nontraditional interview questions] and can have really strategic and thoughtful conversations ... Megan Sauer, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025 In the playoffs, Spagnuolo dialed up a signature blitz that left Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo flustered. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluster
Noun
  • That idea—of a grand continuum, in which the circumstances change but all of our big human feelings (heartache, joy, unease, panic, contentment) remain the same, across time and vast distances—felt germane to her new songs.
    Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Mix that with panic, dread, and disappointment from the judges, pack your bags!
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In other words, bills still need to be paid no matter the confusion of politicians eager to distort the pricing mechanism that organizes the market economy.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The infected person may experience anxiety, confusion, agitation and hallucinations, per the health agency.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Get okay with the idea that in the future, your past work will embarrass you.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Other times, the film feels too coy, as if embarrassed by itself.
    Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • But Couples has missed the cut in four of his last five starts at Augusta National, and the prospect of embarrassment does not sit well with him.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
  • But their latest entry into this costly genre is yet another embarrassment in a string of them, and similarly destined to be forgotten.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But don't confuse him with Chris Evans' Human Torch who first cropped up in the 2005 Fantastic Four film and made a memorable cameo in Deadpool and Wolverine last year.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Lesson 2: Don't confuse the end user with the paying customer.
    Mark Francis, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • So is Aaron Judge, who couldn’t believe all the fuss that was being made over the Yankees’ new wood.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025
  • But Newsom appears to have fully retreated on trans-inclusive athletics, conceding to right-wing propagandists Charlie Kirk and Michael Savage without a fuss in the first two episodes of Newsom’s podcast earlier this month.
    Samantha Riedel, Them, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Read More: Detentions of Tourists and Visa-Holders Fuel Anxiety About Travel to U.S. Neighbors said they were left rattled by the arrest, which played out at 5:30 p.m. on a residential block.
    JAKE OFFENHARTZ, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Shifting government policies are adversely impacting business, rattling financial markets, and disrupting supply chains.
    Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluster. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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