discompose

verb

ˌdis-kəm-ˈpōz How to pronounce discompose (audio)
Definition of discomposenext
1
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy discomposed by the tone of the message left on his answering machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of the wind ruffled her hair and discomposed her carefully arranged papers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb discompose contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of discompose are agitate, disquiet, disturb, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When would agitate be a good substitute for discompose?

Although the words agitate and discompose have much in common, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When can disquiet be used instead of discompose?

The synonyms disquiet and discompose are sometimes interchangeable, but disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

Where would disturb be a reasonable alternative to discompose?

The words disturb and discompose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

When could fluster be used to replace discompose?

In some situations, the words fluster and discompose are roughly equivalent. However, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

In what contexts can perturb take the place of discompose?

While in some cases nearly identical to discompose, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When is upset a more appropriate choice than discompose?

The words upset and discompose can be used in similar contexts, but upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discompose In a third discomposing show of baseball in as many days, the Brewers fell, 8-6, to the lowly A's, who looked like anything but in an emphatic weekend-long dismantling of a team that entered in first place. —Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discompose
  1. disturb
  2. disrupt
  3. bother
  4. confuse
  5. distract
  6. shuffle
  7. worry
  8. alarm
Verb
  • Police checked the woman’s residence and nothing was disturbed and no foul play was indicated.
    — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The graves had been disturbed, but researchers could still identify one as an adult woman.
    — Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • Shearing emphasized that there are no true winners in a tariff war, as higher prices harm consumers and disrupt global supply chains.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Behind the scenes there was no doubt other dreams were dashed and processes disrupted.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of disrupt
Verb
  • Because Congress never bothered to write a law to establish it.
    — Jay Cost, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Chicago Bears - Will Campbell, OL, LSU Will Campbell has fallen a bit due to his shorter arm length, but that likely won't bother Ben Johnson.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of bother
Verb
  • No one was going to confuse Colossal with the Sierra Club.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Let go of a common misconception Some parents worry that teaching their child multiple languages will set them back or confuse them.
    — Julia Furlan, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • While most of the acting is wonderful (Wyle is predictably great, but so is just about all of the main cast), some patient-of-the-week players err towards distracting histrionics.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The one who got distracted by the minstrel did not finish last.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of distract
Verb
  • Pretty much everything else is shuffled off to the infotainment system, a single circular touchscreen that lives in the middle of the dash.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
  • While events were shuffled around to fit a new schedule, the royals will also be about to pace themselves following the monarch's recent health setback.
    — Stephanie Petit, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • Critics worry that other anti-democratic actors will be taking cues from Bukele to curry favor with this particular president.
    — David Catanese, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Victims of car collisions may have more to worry about as insurance companies warn drivers to be aware of a growing scam involving tow truck companies.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of worry
Verb
  • Inspired by the urgent call from birth justice leaders and alarming CDC statistics showing Black women in the United States are three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than white women.
    — Melissa Noel, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Beyond that, Europe and Canada were alarmed last month when the United States split with European allies by refusing to blame Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in votes on three United Nations resolutions seeking an end to the war.
    — Lorne Cook and Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of alarm

Browse Nearby Words

discommoding
discompose
discomposed
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Cite this Entry

“Discompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discompose. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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