disconcerting
/,diskən'sə:tiɳ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Causing feelings of unease, confusion, or embarrassment: Describes something that disturbs one's composure, self-confidence, or sense of order, often by being unexpected, strange, or unsettling.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- The sudden silence in the crowded room was disconcerting.
- She had a disconcerting way of staring without blinking.
- The disconcerting news made it hard to focus on work.
Advanced Usage
- "to find something disconcerting": to experience something as unsettling or disturbing to one's peace of mind.
- I find his constant optimism a bit disconcerting; it doesn't seem genuine.
- Used to describe an experience, behavior, or situation that provokes mild psychological discomfort or alarm.
- The disconcerting ease with which he lied was troubling.
Variants and Related Words
- Disconcert (verb): To disturb the composure of; to agitate or fluster.
- The direct question disconcerted the speaker.
- Disconcertingly (adverb): In a manner that causes unease or confusion.
- The plan worked disconcertingly well.
Synonyms
- Unsettling: Causing anxiety or unease.
- Disturbing: Interrupting peace or order; upsetting.
- Perturbing: Causing to be anxious or unsettled.
- Bewildering: Confusing or perplexing.
Antonyms
- Reassuring: Serving to restore confidence or alleviate anxiety.
- Comforting: Providing consolation or a feeling of ease.
- Soothing: Having a calming or tranquilizing effect.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- A disconcerting lack of...: Used to highlight an unsettling absence of something expected.
- There was a disconcerting lack of security at the event.
- To someone's disconcerting...: Used to indicate that something is unsettling from a specific person's perspective.
- To my disconcerting realization, I had forgotten my passport.
Adjective
- causing an emotional disturbance
- his disconcerting habit of greeting friends ferociously and strangers charmingly- Herb Caen
- an upsetting experience