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

A personal assault by you on me will wake these people up and discombobulate Goldsmith.

From Project Gutenberg

They may copy my style till all's blue, but they won't discombobulate me.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• befuddle
• bewilder
• confound
• disconcert
• fluster