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
Noun I'd go nuts if I had to endure the rattle of that bottling plant every day.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Baltimore also has the superior defense and should rattle Tagovailoa a bit more than the Patriots did. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 12 Sep. 2022 Serritella, her eyes wide and her voice full of energy, told students to connect emotionally with their audiences, to tell a story rather than just rattle off facts and to lead with the most interesting part. Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022 For Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin, creating the looks for the new biopic Elvis came down to sexuality, the swerve of a hip, and a little bit of shake, rattle and roll. Cathy Whitlock, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 June 2022 The senior goalkeeper has been through it all as a third-year varsity starter, so something like a penalty kick shootout that went nine rounds Tuesday night is not about to rattle him. Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 The length of the suspension, then, won’t rattle the team when NFL Disciplinary Officer Sue L. Robinson hands it down, likely over the next week or so. Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland, 27 July 2022 Mass shootings seemingly rattle the public at an alarming rate.Fox News, 23 July 2022 Everyone in Mentone can rattle off the names of the powerful political families who warred for generations to control the local government. Susan Carroll, NBC News, 1 July 2022 There’s very little that can rattle Edney on the court, thanks to all those experiences. Bryce Millercolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2022
Noun
The train’s rattle was loud, but not loud enough to drown out the cicadas and occasional pop of fireworks from around the neighborhood.Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 His life has been lived in joy with his finger on those rattle cans. Sofia Krusmark, The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2022 Gender-reveal cakes have a pink or blue rattle hidden in the cake’s center hole. Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2022 Carrying a rattle with his name written on it, each shake was intended to evoke the beating heart.Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2022 Most keys go down quickly and reset with a gentle plastic thud; larger ones come with a subtle rattle. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 7 July 2022 Morrison passed away in 2019, but her words echoed with a prescient rattle this week. Jane Greenway Carr, CNN, 22 May 2022 My papa found Rosalie like that, upside down, her little feet dangling out, as though she were not drowned at all but digging for worms or for a beloved rattle toy. Okwiri Oduor, Harper’s Magazine , 22 June 2022 Shock waves of Russian shelling rattle windows in Mykolaiv nearly every night. Brett Forrest, WSJ, 15 Apr. 2022
Verb
Baltimore also has the superior defense and should rattle Tagovailoa a bit more than the Patriots did. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 12 Sep. 2022 The Sunday shows offer a deeper level of conversation with Washington officials and people in the news, and, even in an era when anyone can take to social media and rattle off unchecked talking points, provide a service of sorts. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 Sep. 2022 Mass shootings seemingly rattle the public at an alarming rate.Fox News, 23 July 2022 Have too many of us convinced ourselves for too long that climate change is the problem of others and that the storms will never rattle our own roof? Madeline Ostrander, The Atlantic, 23 July 2022 Just read the headlines of pretty much any major news outlet, and you will be deluged by stories that would rattle even the calmest of nerves. Betty Friant, Forbes, 17 June 2022 What wasn’t discussed: Politico was onto a giant scoop, one that would rattle the country fewer than 36 hours later.New York Times, 3 May 2022 With polls indicating the presidential election is narrower than when the two candidates faced off in 2017, traders are girding for a surprise Le Pen win, which would rattle Europe's second biggest economy as fears of a recession in the region grow. Julia Horowitz And Anna Cooban, CNN, 22 Apr. 2022 The Thoughts rattle around in Usher’s brain in hilariously histrionic ways — the self-dramatizing manifestations of a self-doubting solitary worker in the creative economy.Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English ratelen; akin to Middle Dutch ratel rattle