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

But the mere fact that he believes that telling his followers that he will do it is something they want to hear is disconcerting.

From Salon

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

But what is disconcerting about Gaga's version of Harley is that she has no soul — no driving motivation other than a misguided power trip written in the projection of the male fantasy that a woman's love can only exist if she's out to get something.

From Salon

“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

Related Words

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