DISCOMFITING Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

discomfiting 1 of 2

adjective

as in embarrassing

causing embarrassment the discomfiting scrutiny of an audience of music critics

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

discomfiting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of discomfit

as in frustrating

to prevent from achieving a goal constant interruptions discomfited her in her attempt to finish the speech, and she finally gave up

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in confusing

to throw into a state of self-conscious distress he was discomfited by the awkward situation of having his ex-girlfriend meet his current one

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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 discomfiting

Adjective

But instead of leaning into all the details in King’s book that are provocative and discomfiting, Flanagan’s Carrie goes for the path of least resistance. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026 Whatever the verdict, the trial is unlikely to resolve the discomfiting questions that this trial raises. — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026 What develops is a discomfiting, emotionally intense exploration of intimacy between the two men, rooted in the traumatic, troubled origins of their student-teacher bond. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026 Plotting a linear, sinking trajectory, Kreutzer’s discomfiting film describes no such buoyant highs and lows. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2026 And sometimes that gaze is just discomfiting, full stop. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026 Here, the sado-sensual yearning of the Confederacy to instantiate itself through the fetishes and reliquaries of figurative sculpture is shown as hollow, impotent, all too discomfiting, and very real. — Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026 Digitally tweaked to fit the syncopated rhythm and stay on key, Weir’s vocals have a discomfiting quality that’s almost certainly unintentional—especially considering how often the beauty of the Dead lied in their very human imperfections. — Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2026 The experience was deeply discomfiting for Burt. — Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025

Verb

These are questions that can be discomfiting, even disturbing. — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026 His views, possibly as discomfiting for some in his party as his internet history, seem almost optimized for social media virality. — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026 Josh O’Connor and Emily Blunt are his overwhelmed disciples, imbued with discomfiting powers that could be key to making contact with these otherworldly guests. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 10 June 2026 The sheer amount of information is discomfiting, and that’s the point. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026 Scenes are rendered with an diorama-esque economy of mise en scene that feels unreal, almost game-like — an aesthetic met with meaning in the film’s final act — and Nagahisa and Takeda take every opportunity to present the city from a different, often discomfiting angle. — Blake Simons, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026 The material can be discomfiting to take in, but Ronan anchors Maria’s every move in the character’s stubborn belief that her actions are well intentioned. — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discomfiting

Adjective

Not merely due to sympathy for the tweens, nor from projecting some future time when the unerasable archive of this yearning might prove embarrassing.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Celtic exited this season’s Champions League in August after an embarrassing 5-1 thrashing by LASK in Austria, losing the tie 5-4 on aggregate having been 4-0 ahead at one stage.

— Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Verb

But Algo’s hyper-logical, computerised process of consistently picking the favourites to win was undone in the second match of the day, with Ghana frustrating England in a 0-0 draw.

— The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 24 June 2026
The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026

Definition of frustrating

Verb

Bill Belichick has made a Hall of Fame career on confusing young quarterbacks.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
The crowd even includes Sam, who has a fun moment catching up with Roy and confusing him with an observation that sounds like it was inspired by The Wizard of Oz.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of confusing

Adjective

This defense needs to find a way to make quarterbacks uncomfortable without becoming blitz crazy, and that means Chop Robinson, Josh Uche and Malik Herring must step up and win more of their 1-on-1 assignments.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
The dispute raised uncomfortable questions about the limits of political expression on a concert stage — questions Sheeran did not directly address Saturday night.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncomfortable

Verb

Their admirable determination makes Diamantis’ flight from the United States baffling for us and humiliating for them.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
The sequel, on the other hand, is shaped by baffling decisions from director Susanne Bier and cinematographer Simon Duggan that render the film antiseptic.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of baffling

Verb

Rates of autism are rising to previously unseen levels, owing largely to better detection and new diagnostic criteria, but the numbers are still disconcerting.

— Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
It is filled with off-putting, perhaps even disconcerting antics, and teams don't want to add that to their locker room.

— Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of disconcerting

Adjective

The latest unit retains the same first six forward ratios as the outgoing Carrera T’s manual transmission, but ditches its predecessor’s somewhat awkward and largely superfluous seventh gear.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Unsurprisingly, writers have developed a myriad of strategies and tricks to push through this awkward stage.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of awkward

Verb

Kyiv sees this as an attempt to pressure it into concessions by hampering its aerial defense and military operations.

— David Hickey, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026
Virus-carrying midges are hampering deer season in South Dakota, where an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease has prompted South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks to issue deer license refunds.

— Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of hampering

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discomfited

discomfiting

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“Discomfiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discomfiting. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of discomfiting

adjective

verb

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