fluster 1 of 2

noun

Definition of flusternext
1
as in panic
a state of nervous or irritated concern all the yelling on the bus put the driver in a fluster

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in confusion
the emotional state of being made self-consciously uncomfortable there was a palpable fluster in the audience when I asked my awkward question

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fluster

2 of 2

verb

ˈflə-stər How to pronounce fluster (audio)
as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress was flustered when her parents dragged out her baby pictures for her new boyfriend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb fluster contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fluster are agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When might agitate be a better fit than fluster?

The words agitate and fluster can be used in similar contexts, but agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

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

When would discompose be a good substitute for fluster?

While in some cases nearly identical to fluster, 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 could disquiet be used to replace fluster?

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

the disquieting news of factories closing

When can disturb be used instead of fluster?

In some situations, the words disturb and fluster are roughly equivalent. However, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

In what contexts can perturb take the place of fluster?

Although the words perturb and fluster have much in common, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When is upset a more appropriate choice than fluster?

While the synonyms upset and fluster are close in meaning, 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 fluster
Noun
There’s cringe comedy in their fluster opposite her flamboyant imbecility. —Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2023 In the 4 1/2 games Chubb missed, the Browns had their quarterback win a game (Bengals), needed last-second heroics from Odell Beckham Jr. in Dallas, and had the defense fluster Colts quarterback Phillip Rivers into two interceptions and a safety. —Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, 12 Nov. 2020
Verb
Golden State forced Clark into deep 3-point jumpers and flustered the visiting team with tenacious defense in the paint. —Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 June 2025 For years, he has been flustered by the contact an Alex Caruso or OG Anunoby can get away with in the post, relative to someone like Karl-Anthony Towns. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluster
  1. panic
  2. confusion
  3. embarrass
  4. huff
  5. embarrassment
  6. confuse
  7. fuss
  8. rattle
Noun
  • As an adult, financial matters, especially, threw him into a panic and eventually sent him to therapy.
    — Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Even when things might look bleak, investors with cash on hand can afford to wait it out and not panic.
    — Susan Tompor, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of panic
Noun
  • Indeed, there has been confusion over how many shots were fired when Finicum was killed and who fired them.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
  • But that means there’s even more opportunity for confusion.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of confusion
Verb
  • We wouldn’t be embarrassed by it, nor would the audience.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2025
  • What People Are Saying Maritime analysts have weighed in on the nature reserve declaration, with some linking it to the August 11 collision that embarrassed Beijing.
    — Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of embarrass
Noun
  • Kemp looked at the ceiling and blew a huff of air when Schwartz announced the sentence.
    — Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Getty Images To date, the post has amassed more than 900 comments from TikTok viewers, many of them poking fun at the golden retriever mother's annoyed expression and shallow huffs.
    — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
Definition of huff
Noun
  • Claudia Choose vulnerability over performative coolness, because possible embarrassment is way more powerful than polished detachment.
    — Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The companies showing off their cases with a lighter white or silvery iPhone 17 Pro in product shots mostly dodged any embarrassment, as those are harder to distinguish from Apple’s actual silver color.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of embarrassment
Verb
  • Yes, God confuses the language and scatters everyone, thereby creating linguistic and cultural diversity.
    — John Fugelsang September 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
  • At one point, O’Steen was confused by a question, and the resulting back-and-forth was reminiscent of an Abbott and Costello repartee.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of confuse
Noun
  • That all of the fuss of hiring a world-class manager might actually be worth it.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The star’s grooming routine is no fuss.
    — Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of fuss
Verb
  • Some residents lamented the change that continues to rattle the historic Denver neighborhood, one that has already experienced generations of displacement.
    — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
  • One moment, the Sound of Sleat is a sheet of silver under a pale sun; the next, wind drives rain sideways into the distillery’s courtyard, rattling the pagoda roof.
    — Gina Pace, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of rattle

Browse Nearby Words

flushness
fluster
flustered
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Cite this Entry

“Fluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluster. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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