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disconcerted

American  
[dis-kuhn-sur-tid] / ˌdɪs kənˈsɜr tɪd /

adjective

  1. disturbed, as in one's composure or self-possession; perturbed; ruffled.

    She was disconcerted by the sudden attack on her integrity.

  2. bewildered or confused, as by something unexpected.

    The class was disconcerted by the instructor's confusion.


disconcerted British  
/ ˌdɪskənˈsɜːtɪd /

adjective

  1. perturbed, embarrassed, or confused

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of disconcerted

First recorded in 1630–40; disconcert ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )

Explanation

A concert is a choreographed harmony of sounds but throw the prefix "dis" in front it and you have the opposite: disconcerted — a word used to describe someone whose composure has been disturbed or unsettled. Disconcerted is a combination of the French prefix des- which indicates reversal and the word concerter meaning "bring together," so something disconcerted is not brought together, but rather torn apart, or thrown into confusion. If you are under a lot of stress or worried about something, you're in a disconcerted or discombobulated state. Take a breath. Relax a moment. Everything will be OK.

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Vocabulary lists containing disconcerted

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even Emily Blunt was publicly disconcerted, begging Hollywood agencies to “please stop taking away our human connection.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

“And that’s good. I think a judge should be disconcerted by what he does.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

Even Danny Danon, a Netanyahu ally and former Israeli ambassador to the U.N. who recently predicted a peace agreement with Saudi Arabia in 2023, seemed disconcerted.

From Washington Times • Mar. 11, 2023

Despite being a balmy break, the uncharacteristic warmth disrupted some winter activities and left many disconcerted.

From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2023

They all turn to look at RON, he’s briefly disconcerted but batters on.

From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling

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