disconcert

[ dis-kuhn-surt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to disturb the self-possession of; perturb; ruffle:

   Her angry reply disconcerted me completely.

   Synonyms: discomfit, abash, bewilder, perplex, discompose

   Antonyms: calm

2. to throw into disorder or confusion; disarrange:

   He changed his mind and disconcerted everybody's plans.

   Antonyms: arrange

disconcert

/ ˌdɪskənˈsɜːt /

verb

1. to disturb the composure of
2. to frustrate or upset

Derived Forms

• ˌdisconˈcertion, noun

Other Words From

• discon·certed adjective
• discon·certion discon·certment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disconcert¹

From the obsolete French word disconcerter, dating back to 1680–90. See dis- ¹, concert

Synonym Study

See confuse.

Example Sentences

He was right enough times to convince me that he knew everything about baseball, which prompted me to ask him about some disconcerting trend for the Dodgers.

From Los Angeles Times

Of all the occasions my family and I have had to run to bomb shelters over the last few weeks, the most disconcerting was Iran’s Oct.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s disconcerting for our students and for our movement,” said Kristan Hawkins, head of Students for Life, one of the largest anti-abortion organisations in the country.

From BBC

“The fact that everything is still increasing is disconcerting. The most concerning part for me, though, is the potential for increased natural emissions, particularly in the tropics,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

“I do from time to time get frowns and stares and questioning looks which is quite disconcerting…but they’ll let me go about my business.”

From BBC

Related Words

• agitate
• baffle
• bewilder
• confound
• demoralize
• discombobulate
• discomfit
• disturb
• embarrass
• frustrate
• perplex
• perturb
• puzzle
• unsettle