- past participle of disconcert.
- past tense form of disconcert.
disconcerted
Americanadjective
Other Word 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.
Vocabulary lists containing disconcerted
All Quiet on the Western Front
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Namesake
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Little Fires Everywhere
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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
When they visit St. Cloud’s and meet Dr. Larch, they are disconcerted by “an antiseptic smell, or something medicinal” in his office.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 7, 2025
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
In her own art, Ms. Polska has delved into that same sense of being both drawn in and disconcerted.
From New York Times ● Oct. 19, 2022
I was disconcerted by the cells with lights still on and inmates standing up, because they were invariably backlit and I couldn’t see their faces or what their hands were doing.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
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.
