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
Example Sentences
News of his criminal past has disconcerted even his admirers. we were disconcerted by the unexpected changes to the program
Recent Examples on the WebIts ending is notoriously strange — disconcerting even — and the subject of considerable scholarly debate. Bonnie Kristian, TheWeek, 12 Apr. 2020 The reasons for these paper profits are disconcerting. Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2020 Parents have watched changes in their teens that have been disconcerting. Sara Miller Llana, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2020 In Moscow, the lack of snow has been disconcerting. Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2020 Of course, there are odd moments, hard moments, disconcerting moments. Nell Frizzell, refinery29.com, 23 Feb. 2020 The line needs to play better and more physical, and its performance through five games has to be disconcerting for Nagy and offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. Brad Biggs, chicagotribune.com, 10 Oct. 2019 The silence of most of the bishops in the Catholic Church on this embarrassing but destructive mixture of progressivism, reflexive activism, and casual dismissal of the deepest wisdom of the Church is disconcerting. Daniel J. Mahoney, National Review, 6 Feb. 2020 To be eliminated before that round even began made watching the weekend’s games disconcerting, as if the Patriots were some sort of football ghost limb, still there in our minds and emotions but absent in all reality. Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Jan. 2020 See More
Word History
Etymology
obsolete French disconcerter, alteration of Middle French desconcerter, from des- dis- + concerter to concert