disconcert means A state of disunion. It carries an Arena rating of 1736, earned across 6 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, disconcert ranks #394 of 13,226 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #415 of 13,226 for Most Elegant Words, #432 of 13,226 for Most Malleable Words, #1,496 of 13,226 for Most Incisive Words.
disconcert is pronounced /ˌdɪskənˈsɜːt/.
Why “disconcert” is a great word
DISCONCERT — [Verb] To disturb the composure of; to unsettle, confuse, or frustrate. From Middle French *desconcerter*, from *des-* ("dis-", expressing reversal) + *concerter* ("to bring into agreement, organize"). Unlike "unnerve," which implies a loss of courage, or "discomfit," which carries the sting of public defeat, to disconcert is to introduce a subtle, internal dissonance. It is the stranger whose gaze lingers a fraction too long, the polite but uncomprehending smile to a question in your own tongue, or the stair tread that is fractionally higher than anticipated—a quiet proof that the world is not quite in concert with your expectations.
Etymology
From Middle French desconcerter, from des- (“dis-”) + concerter (“to bring into agreement, organize”).
verb
- To upset the composure of; to startle.“The embrace disconcerted the daughter-in-law somewhat, as the caresses of old gentlemen unshorn and perfumed with tobacco might well do.”
- To bring into confusion.
- To frustrate, discomfit.“The emperor disconcerted the plans of his enemy.”
Words closest in meaning
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