disconcert

verb

dis·con·cert ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt

disconcerted; disconcerting; disconcerts

Synonyms of disconcert next

transitive verb

: to throw into confusion

disconcerting their plans

: to disturb the composure of

were disconcerted by his tone of voice

disconcerting adjective

disconcertingly

ˌdis-kən-ˈsər-tiŋ-lē

adverb

disconcertment

ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt-mənt

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for disconcert

embarrass, discomfit, abash, disconcert, rattle mean to distress by confusing or confounding.

embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

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

disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

Examples of disconcert in a Sentence

News of his criminal past has disconcerted even his admirers. we were disconcerted by the unexpected changes to the program

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

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 my detailed discussion on this disconcerting matter of privacy intrusions and what to watch out for, at the link here. —

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 There is a choice between tiptoeing mindlessly down a bread-crumb trail of what-ifs and taking issue with a business structure and culture of never-ending, disconcerting enablement, a choice between gorging on memes and supporting victims who continue to come forward highlighting abuses of power. —

Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2024 But the analysis also revealed something disconcerting. —

Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disconcert

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French disconcerter, alteration of Middle French desconcerter, from des- dis- + concerter to concert

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of disconcert was in 1632

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Disconcert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disconcert. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

disconcert

verb

dis·con·cert ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt

: to disturb the arrangement of : upset

the unexpected event disconcerted their plans

: to disturb the self-control of

your frank stare disconcerted me

disconcertingly

-iŋ-lē

adverb

Last Updated: 23 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

victuals

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

disconcert

verb

Synonyms

Examples of disconcert in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near disconcert

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition