disconcerting

[ dis-kuhn-sur-ting ]

adjective

1. disturbing to one's composure or self-possession; upsetting, discomfiting.
2. confusing, usually in the face of something totally unexpected; perplexing.

disconcerting

/ ˌdɪskənˈsɜːtɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing a feeling of disturbance, embarrassment, or confusion; perturbing; worrying

Derived Forms

• ˌdisconˈcertingly, adverb

Other Words From

• discon·certing·ly adverb
• discon·certing·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disconcerting¹

disconcert ( def ) + -ing ²( def )

Example Sentences

All the while, West was making headlines for other disconcerting reasons, including a chaotic failed presidential campaign and manic-depressive Tweetstorms.

From Time

The idea is that you always get a good view of whoever is currently speaking, but the effect can be a bit disconcerting.

From Popular-Science

I still find them very disconcerting when I see them out on the street.

From Freakonomics

However, analysts say, the pandemic’s most disconcerting legacy may be its imprint on consumer behavior, raising questions about the sector’s ability to win back customers and properly rebound even after life returns to normal.

From Washington Post

When an entire generation has never experienced such a thing, that can be disconcerting.

From Axios

The transition is disconcerting since there are no other cuts of this sort in the picture.

From The Daily Beast

The first time I got accused of being a “neo-Nazi” it was shocking and disconcerting.

From The Daily Beast

But some of the Kurds maintain a disconcerting confidence—one now strengthened by the U.S. airstrikes.

From The Daily Beast

Spending time with Bean is somewhat disconcerting after seeing him play so many somber, doomed roles.

From The Daily Beast

There is nothing to be gained by harping on about events in 2002, however disconcerting those events were.

From The Daily Beast

"To such a place as that I would go alone,—or with her," said the boy, his disconcerting gaze fixed on the other's face.

From Project Gutenberg

He leaned on his stick, hat in hand, and the big blue eyes of the young man rested upon him with disconcerting gravity.

From Project Gutenberg

He half expected one of those disconcerting thought answers from Dalgard.

From Project Gutenberg

I know from experience how disconcerting it is to ride into the zone of fire, and walking must be much worse.

From Project Gutenberg

"Well, of course the aim is to protect girls," Mrs. Bassett replied, conscious of a disconcerting acidity in her aunt's remark.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alarming
• annoying
• bothersome
• creepy
• depressing
• discouraging
• disquieting
• disruptive
• distressing
• embarrassing
• frightening
• inconvenient
• irritating
• painful
• startling
• threatening
• tiresome
• troublesome
• troubling
• trying