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
  • However, infrared videography can help record what’s going on on the beach without disturbing the turtles or crabs.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 July 2025
  • The first beaver to be released in this project was trapped at Arlington Wildlife Area along the Gila River after causing land management issues, like clogging pipes and disturbing irrigation infrastructure.
    — John Leos, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • The Justice Department has filed similar prosecutions in recent years, as well as created an initiative aimed at disrupting the threat.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2025
  • As discussed ad nauseum Iran could disrupt shipping in the Arabian/Persian Gulf, but only partly and only for a brief period.
    — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Definition of disrupt
Verb
  • There’s something delicious about sipping lemonade after a dip in the pool, looking down from the balcony at the day-trippers all hot and bothered below.
    — Richard Godwin, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025
  • That really bothers me more than anything else; that bothers me more than even being excluded.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 11 July 2025
Definition of bother
Verb
  • Amazon $650 Samsung $650 Best Buy Not to be confused with the Galaxy S24 series, this midrange smartphone from late 2024 has some elements of the flagship phone, but makes some sacrifices to get the price down.
    — Simon Hill, Wired News, 11 July 2025
  • O’Brien says his critics might be confused because of the novelty of his approach.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • While the housing bill got lost among numerous priorities during this year’s legislative session, top leaders are now laser-focused on the issue and will not be distracted.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
  • The president’s critics, meanwhile, accuse him of using the scandal to distract from stalled reforms and growing public dissatisfaction.
    — Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Definition of distract
Verb
  • Prosecutors alleged Kelsey illegally shuffled money from his state senate campaigin committee to his federal campaign.
    — Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
  • Each of these had a variable number of lithium atoms at each of the corners of these structures, and molecular simulations showed that lithium ions could readily move between these locations, allowing the material to shuffle ions around rapidly.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • When Test Track officially opens on July 22, guests will not have to worry about virtual queues.
    — Megan duBois, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
  • On account of its relative remoteness--sat between Scotland 200 miles to the south and Iceland 400 miles to the north--the Faroe Islands hasn’t had to worry about over-tourism too much.
    — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Definition of worry
Verb
  • The apostles are alarmed, but Jesus understands his destiny is coming.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 30 June 2025
  • The entire affair—the opening, the closing, the paranoia, and then the alarming news of a shooting (which was unrelated and, thankfully, nonfatal)—could be easily put down to the vagaries of big-city life.
    — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 25 June 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 18 Jul. 2025.

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