discomfiture
Americannoun
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the state of being disconcerted; confusion; embarrassment.
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frustration of hopes or plans.
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Archaic. defeat in battle; rout.
Etymology
Origin of discomfiture
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English desconfiture, from Anglo-French: “defeat”; see discomfit, -ure
Explanation
Discomfiture is a state of being embarrassed and a little confused. There is nothing quite like the discomfiture of being abruptly reprimanded by your favorite teacher. Discomfiture comes from discomfit, which originally meant "defeat in battle," from the Latin fortis, "strong." The meaning of discomfiture evolved over time from "state of having been defeated or thwarted" to "perplexed embarrassment." Being ignored by your friends would definitely cause discomfiture, and so would confidently talking in French class about your dream of being a hair stylist, only to realize you've been saying "horse stylist" the whole time.
Vocabulary lists containing discomfiture
Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I A Woman?" (1863)
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Ethan Frome
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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.
Michel Barnier, who negotiated the terms of Brexit on behalf of the EU, said he took no pleasure in Britain’s discomfiture.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 20, 2022
They’re reveling in what they see as the discomfiture of authorities at the destinations forced to scramble to bring care and services to the passengers.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2022
Marsac’s discomfiture nevertheless leads to something utterly unexpected.
From Washington Post • Sep. 1, 2021
There was much cheering in Pakistan over India's discomfiture at the turn of events, said Raza Ahmad Rumi, a political commentator, who teaches at Ithaca College in New York.
From Reuters • Aug. 23, 2021
The captain chuckled at his discomfiture and extended his hands flat into the air.
From "The Reader" by Traci Chee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
