discombobulate

[ dis-kuhm-bob-yuh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·com·bob·u·lat·ed, dis·com·bob·u·lat·ing.

1. Informal. to confuse or disconcert; confound; bewilder:

   The speaker was completely discombobulated by the hecklers.

   Synonyms: upset, perturb, disturb, agitate, nonplus, dumbfound, befuddle

discombobulate

/ ˌdɪskəmˈbɒbjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. informal.
   tr to throw into confusion

Other Words From

• dis·com·bob·u·la·tion [dis-k, uh, m-bob-y, uh, -, ley, -sh, uh, n], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discombobulate¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1825–35; fanciful alteration of discompose or discomfort

Word History and Origins

Origin of discombobulate¹

C20: probably a whimsical alteration of discompose or discomfit

Example Sentences

One problem among many is that Netanyahu and other Israelis think they have an opportunity here not just to discombobulate Hezbollah’s command structure and kill or injure many of its military leaders, but also to destroy the organization as a threat.

From Slate

I use breath work, gentle movements — just to discombobulate the body a little bit.

From Los Angeles Times

I use breath work, gentle movements — just to discombobulate the body a little bit.

From Los Angeles Times

Did their hyper-aggressive approach discombobulate their opponents, or themselves?

From BBC

The overall aim, León and Pascual concurred, will be to discombobulate internal and external enemies.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• befuddle
• bewilder
• confound
• disconcert
• fluster