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Discomfiting: meaning, definitions and examples

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discomfiting

 

[ dɪsˈkʌmfɪtɪŋ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling uncomfortable

Discomfiting refers to causing someone to feel uncomfortable or anxious. It can describe a situation or an action that induces unease or embarrassment in a person.

Synonyms

awkward, disconcerting, disturbing, unsettling

Examples of usage

  • The discomfiting silence in the room made everyone uneasy.
  • Her discomfiting remarks during the meeting left some colleagues feeling awkward.
  • He felt a discomfiting sense of doubt about his abilities.

Translations

Translations of the word "discomfiting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desconcertante

🇮🇳 असुविधाजनक

🇩🇪 verwirrend

🇮🇩 mengacaukan

🇺🇦 незручний

🇵🇱 nieprzyjemny

🇯🇵 不快な

🇫🇷 déconcertant

🇪🇸 desconcertante

🇹🇷 rahatsız edici

🇰🇷 불편한

🇸🇦 مزعج

🇨🇿 zmatek

🇸🇰 zmätený

🇨🇳 令人困惑的

🇸🇮 zmedeno

🇮🇸 óþægilegur

🇰🇿 қолайсыз

🇬🇪 არამყუდრო

🇦🇿 narahat edən

🇲🇽 desconcertante

Etymology

The term 'discomfiting' originated from the early 17th century, derived from the verb 'discomfit,' which itself comes from the Old French term 'desconfire,' meaning 'to defeat or rout.' Historically, it was used to describe the act of thwarting or confusing an enemy in battle. Over time, the meaning evolved and broadened to indicate causing someone to feel uneasy or uncomfortable in various social situations. The emergence of 'discomfiting' as an adjective reflects this shift, focusing on the emotional and psychological states of individuals rather than just physical defeat. In contemporary English, it is commonly applied in contexts involving social awkwardness or anxiety.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,900, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.