as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
our grandmother seems a bit discombobulated by all of this birthday fuss
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Recent Examples of discombobulate
To completely discombobulate him, someone like me heaving all over him with lips and eyes and bosom, to turn this nerd.
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Vulture, 29 Dec. 2022
Authorities said a beam of light aimed at an aircraft could discombobulate and even temporarily blind the pilot in the cockpit.
—Matt Bruce, ajc, 30 July 2022
Scientists have known for years about bony fish, sharks, worms, jellies, corals, and other marine creatures that light up to attract mates, lure prey, or discombobulate predators.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2021
These molecular tests search the genomic manuscript with about as much precision as the Ctrl+F function on a computer, which means that even single-letter typos—that is, simple RNA mutations—can discombobulate them.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 June 2021
See all Example Sentences for discombobulate 
Vulture, 29 Dec. 2022
Authorities said a beam of light aimed at an aircraft could discombobulate and even temporarily blind the pilot in the cockpit.
—Matt Bruce, ajc, 30 July 2022
Scientists have known for years about bony fish, sharks, worms, jellies, corals, and other marine creatures that light up to attract mates, lure prey, or discombobulate predators.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2021
These molecular tests search the genomic manuscript with about as much precision as the Ctrl+F function on a computer, which means that even single-letter typos—that is, simple RNA mutations—can discombobulate them.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 June 2021
See all Example Sentences for discombobulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discombobulate
Verb
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Prescott presents the dissolution of the monasteries from the numerous interlaced viewpoints of ordinary people – nuns made homeless, devout country people bewildered, the instigators of the Pilgrimage of Grace heading towards their ghastly ends.The Week UK, theweek, 6 Dec. 2024
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When Daphna posed the question to the room, Annie looked bewildered.Julia Whelan Krish Seenivasan Lance Neal, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
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This specific design broke the decoy’s shape into smaller visual fragments, confusing the predators.Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
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Some reports by think tanks and on social media appear to confuse TdA with South American theft groups (SATG) operating in the Midwest.Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
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That moment — when Edward Norton as Pete Seeger looks pointedly at an axe during Dylan’s electric set at the Newport Folk Festival — did baffle people.Aja Romano, Vox, 25 Dec. 2024
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Cut the Cord Elon Musk’s influence on President-elect Donald Trump continued to baffle late-night hosts on Thursday, after the tech mogul led the charge to scuttle a bipartisan spending deal.Trish Bendix, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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At one point, Perseverance came across a zebra-striped rock that has scientists perplexed about its exact composition.Ashley Strickland, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
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Voters are understandably perplexed by Vice President Kamala Harris’ economic agenda, on which her campaign has offered little substance and little more than a string of vague promises.Veronique de Rugy, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2024
Verb
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These phenomena have puzzled scientists for decades, and data collected during Parker's mission promises to provide crucial insights.Jamie Carter, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
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He was really puzzled by the Newport ’65 scenes at the end, however.Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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On the other end, the Vikings befuddled maligned Titans quarterback Will Levis with exotic looks before the snap that appeared to break his brain for prolonged stretches.Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 17 Nov. 2024
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The two-term governor received criticism for being too congenial with his Republican rival and seemingly befuddled in the national spotlight for most of the 90-minute debate.Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Discombobulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discombobulate. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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