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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TikTok user Shannon Dudley Jr., a commercial fisherman from Everglades City, Florida, shared a video of the strange sight that has bewildered viewers.Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
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Americans and Brits, being less royalist and more empirical in temperament, are bewildered by the general French understanding that the top thinker is supposed to be imperious and maximalist.Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The team wants Alex Mill to be more of a household name brand without getting too big to manage properly, or so expansive as to confuse the customer with many fashion messages.David Moin, WWD, 18 Nov. 2024
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San Francisco sued Oakland for infringing its airport’s trademarks in April, arguing the Oakland airport’s similar new name would confuse travelers.Reuters, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
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As China threatened to retaliate with tariffs on imports of German cars, Berlin turned on Brussels and voted against the measures—a move that left many European policymakers baffled.Agathe Demarais, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
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Lambert’s friend Kilcullen remains baffled that the judge keeps delaying the sentencing hearings.Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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As a nearly life-long Democrat from a fifth-generation Kansas family farm, a family of Trump supporters, and married to a self-professed, ultra-MAGA Trumper, I’m perplexed.Ted Trimpa, The Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2024
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They were perplexed, but their relationship with their son was already rocky.Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024
Verb
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Yet many observers have been puzzled by the absence of any practical Israeli plan for ending the conflict, particularly one that might lead to a lasting political settlement.Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024
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German carmakers bet big on the EV revolution, if later than competitors, and have been left puzzled by slowing growth after initial widespread uptake.BYRyan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The lack of consistent officiating has long been a pet peeve within the garage, to the point that drivers are often befuddled as to what constitutes a penalty and what doesn’t.Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024
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After Pakman explains the way tariffs harm American companies, Kelly seems befuddled.Allison Morrow, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Discombobulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discombobulate. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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