discomfit

verb

dis·com·fit | \ dis-ˈkəm(p)-fət

, especially Southern ˌdis-kəm-ˈfit\

discomfited; discomfiting; discomfits

Definition of discomfit

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a archaic : to defeat in battle the ground … strewn with the discomfited— Stephen Crane

b : to frustrate the plans of : thwart discomfit our foes

2 : to put into a state of perplexity and embarrassment : disconcert was discomfited by the question

discomfit

noun

Definition of discomfit (Entry 2 of 2)

: the state of being confused, embarrassed, or upset : discomfiture

Other Words from discomfit Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about discomfit

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Choose the Right Synonym for discomfit

Verb

embarrass, discomfit, abash, disconcert, rattle mean to distress by confusing or confounding. embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action. The question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion. Hecklers discomfited the speaker abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority. abashed by her swift and cutting retort disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy. disconcerted by finding so many in attendance rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment. rattled by all the television cameras

Did You Know?

Verb

Disconcerted by discomfit and discomfort? Here's a little usage history that might help. Several usage commentators have, in the past, tried to convince their readers that discomfit means "to rout" or "to completely defeat" and not "to discomfort, embarrass, or make uneasy." In its earliest uses discomfit did in fact mean "to defeat in battle," but that sense is now rare, and the extended sense, "to thwart," is also uncommon. Most of the recent commentaries agree that the sense "to discomfort or disconcert" has become thoroughly established and is the most prevalent meaning of the word. There is one major difference between discomfit and discomfort, though-discomfit is used almost exclusively as a verb, while discomfort is much more commonly used as a noun than a verb.

Examples of discomfit in a Sentence

Verb

constant interruptions discomfited her in her attempt to finish the speech, and she finally gave up he was discomfited by the awkward situation of having his ex-girlfriend meet his current one

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Mr Johnston’s creations are for the most part discomfiting, funny and idiosyncratic. — D.b., The Economist, "James Johnston, a veteran rock musician, has blossomed as an artist," 29 July 2019 Trump is not the only one discomfited by the idea of Tubman on our currency. — Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, "The Haunted Image of Harriet Tubman on the Twenty-Dollar Bill," 18 June 2019 What the Netflix show finds there is a nostalgic and often discomfiting reflection of our own socioeconomic moment. — latimes.com, "Today: Trump’s Envoy of Discord in Israel," 9 July 2019 But the resulting work, chronicling events in a Parisian nocturnal demimonde of the recent past from the point of view of a club deejay, is vivid and discomfiting: The bartender from the Kat calls me one morning, late, drunk. — Luc Sante, Harper's magazine, "A Crew of Variegated Weirdos," 10 Jan. 2019 The fictional Yaakov, whose voiceover narration helps delineate many of the plot points, is such a dynamic central character that viewers will likely relate to his passion even if becoming discomfited by the sometimes inflammatory populist rhetoric. — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Unorthodox': Film Review," 14 June 2019 Rivkin spends a significant amount of time noting the discomfiting elision and erasure of Twombly’s sexuality in the many catalogues and chronologies of his work. — Andrew Martin, Harper's magazine, "Not Mere Projection," 10 Mar. 2019 This is a discomfiting development since such yield-curve inversions have preceded past recessions. — Justin Lahart, WSJ, "What’s Behind Collapsing Bond Yields," 25 Mar. 2019 Down is so revered — and why the combination of rabbits and perpetual dread is so discomfiting. — Aja Romano, Vox, "Netflix’s new Watership Down proves the beloved children’s classic was a horror story all along," 30 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'discomfit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for discomfit

discomfit

verb

English Language Learners Definition of discomfit

formal : to make (someone) confused or upset

See the full definition for discomfit in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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discomfit

Definition of discomfit

Other Words from discomfit

Synonyms & Antonyms for discomfit

Choose the Right Synonym for discomfit

Did You Know?

Examples of discomfit in a Sentence

First Known Use of discomfit

History and Etymology for discomfit

English Language Learners Definition of discomfit

discomfit

Definition of discomfit

Other Words from discomfit

Synonyms & Antonyms for discomfit

Choose the Right Synonym for discomfit

Did You Know?

Examples of discomfit in a Sentence

First Known Use of discomfit

History and Etymology for discomfit

English Language Learners Definition of discomfit

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