disconcert

[dis-kuhn-surt]

verb (used with object)

1. to disturb the self-possession of; perturb; ruffle.

   Her angry reply disconcerted me completely.

   Synonyms: discomfit, abash, bewilder, perplex, discompose
   Antonyms: calm

2. to throw into disorder or confusion; disarrange.

   He changed his mind and disconcerted everybody's plans.

   Antonyms: arrange

disconcert

/ ˌdɪskənˈsɜːt /

verb

1. to disturb the composure of

2. to frustrate or upset

Other Word Forms

• disconcerted adjective
• disconcertion noun
• disconcertment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disconcert¹

From the obsolete French word disconcerter, dating back to 1680–90. See dis- ¹, concert

Synonym Study

See confuse.

Example Sentences

Most disconcerting was the performance of Vesia, the team’s most trusted reliever.

From Los Angeles Times

The self-infantilizing is disconcerting to watch, and no doubt petrifying to experience firsthand, but Gaga dodges the fan and gets into her waiting vehicle.

From Salon

"But it is disconcerting that this can happen."

From BBC

With 18,993 girls’ names in active use in contemporary America, why would Higgins build this disconcerting element into “Sweetener’s” structure?

From Los Angeles Times

The left-hand concerto has dark mysteries hard to transmit over so many acres and video close-ups of two-armed pianists trying to keep the right hand out of the way can be disconcerting.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agitate 
• baffle 
• bewilder 
• confound 
• demoralize 
• discombobulate 
• discomfit 
• disturb 
• embarrass 
• frustrate 
• perplex 
• perturb 
• puzzle 
• unsettle