disconcerting

[ dis-kuhn-sur-ting ]

adjective

1. disturbing to one's composure or self-possession; upsetting, discomfiting.
2. confusing, usually in the face of something totally unexpected; perplexing.

disconcerting

/ ˌdɪskənˈsɜːtɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing a feeling of disturbance, embarrassment, or confusion; perturbing; worrying

Derived Forms

• ˌdisconˈcertingly, adverb

Other Words From

• discon·certing·ly adverb
• discon·certing·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disconcerting¹

disconcert ( def ) + -ing ²( def )

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

• alarming
• annoying
• bothersome
• creepy
• depressing
• discouraging
• disquieting
• disruptive
• distressing
• embarrassing
• frightening
• inconvenient
• irritating
• painful
• startling
• threatening
• tiresome
• troublesome
• troubling
• trying