fluster

[fluhs-ter]

See more synonyms for fluster on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to put into a state of agitated confusion: His constant criticism flustered me.
to excite and confuse with drink.

verb (used without object)

to become agitatedly confused.

noun

nervous excitement or confusion.

Origin of fluster

1375–1425; late Middle English flostren; cf. bluster, Old Norse flaustra to hurry

Related formsun·flus·tered, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. upset, bewilder, disconcert, disturb. 4. turmoil, agitation, upset, bewilderment, distraction.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for flustered

Contemporary Examples

It's important that though she's flustered she knows his number and stands up to him as his equal.
New York’s Greatest Show Or How They Did Not Screw Up ‘Guys and Dolls’
Ross Wetzsteon
April 6, 2014
Flustered, I typed “iTunes” into the tiny oblong search box to see how many charges there were in total.
Woman Finds Mysterious Charges on Her iTunes Bill: A Modern Whodunit!
Nancy Neufeld Callaway
January 31, 2014
On the phone, Walt is flustered—he says “bug up his butt” instead of “stick”—but Skyler buys it.
Latest ‘Breaking Bad’ Episode, ‘Ozymandias,’ Is Most Action-Packed Yet
Andrew Romano
September 16, 2013
As a flustered Ally regales the encounter, a flashback reveals the entire, surprisingly explicit soap-and-squeegee affair.
The 'Reign' Steamy Stairwell Shocker & TV’s 13 Dirtiest Sex Scenes (VIDEO)
Kevin Fallon
October 11, 2012
Flustered at the lobby full of black people, the ad men discuss how best to handle the situation.
Black Women Still Battle Mad Men in Corporate America
Rebecca Carroll
March 30, 2012

Historical Examples

Now, when I'm arrested for speeding, I'm not in the least flustered—oh, not a little bit!
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
"It's all right, Fannie," Aggie said hastily to the flustered maid.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
His waistcoat was red, and he wore knee-breeches, but his aspect was flustered.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad
He was too flustered to do more than return the pressure of the small, firm hand.
The Downfall
Emile Zola
I was so flustered and—and tickled to see her that I forgot everything, manners and all.
Thankful's Inheritance
Joseph C. Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for flustered

fluster

verb

to make or become confused, nervous, or upset

noun

a state of confusion or agitation

Word Origin

C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic flaustr to hurry, flaustra to bustle

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

Word Origin and History for flustered

fluster

v.

early 15c. (implied in flostyrynge), from a Scandinavian source (cf. Icelandic flaustr "bustle," flaustra "to bustle"). Originally "to excite," especially with drink; sense of "to flurry, confuse" is from 1724. Related: Flustered; flustering. As a noun, 1710, from the verb.

fluster

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}fluster

Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for flustered

Contemporary Examples

It's important that though she's flustered she knows his number and stands up to him as his equal.

Flustered, I typed “iTunes” into the tiny oblong search box to see how many charges there were in total.

On the phone, Walt is flustered—he says “bug up his butt” instead of “stick”—but Skyler buys it.

As a flustered Ally regales the encounter, a flashback reveals the entire, surprisingly explicit soap-and-squeegee affair.

Flustered at the lobby full of black people, the ad men discuss how best to handle the situation.

Historical Examples

Now, when I'm arrested for speeding, I'm not in the least flustered—oh, not a little bit!

"It's all right, Fannie," Aggie said hastily to the flustered maid.

His waistcoat was red, and he wore knee-breeches, but his aspect was flustered.

He was too flustered to do more than return the pressure of the small, firm hand.

I was so flustered and—and tickled to see her that I forgot everything, manners and all.

fluster

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for flustered

fluster

v.

Origin of fluster