Flustered: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is best used when someone is temporarily upset or slightly overwhelmed by a situation, often due to pressure or a lot of things happening at once.

• She was flustered by the unexpected questions during the interview.
• He became flustered when he realized he had lost his keys.

This word is used when someone is visibly and intensely disturbed, upset, or anxious. It often suggests a higher level of disturbance than 'flustered' and can sometimes carry a negative connotation.

• The customer was clearly agitated when his complaint wasn't addressed.
• She felt agitated after the heated argument with her colleague.

This word fits when someone feels anxious or worried, usually in anticipation of something. It describes a state of unease or apprehension.

• She was nervous before her big presentation.
• He felt nervous about meeting his girlfriend's parents for the first time.

This word is appropriate when someone is unable to think clearly or understand something, often due to lack of information or because the situation is very complicated.

• He looked confused by the complex instructions.
• The students were confused by the difficult math problem.

Used for feeling nervous or upset, often because of a sudden event or a lot of activity. It implies a temporary state of mild confusion.

• She became flustered when she realized she forgot her speech notes.
• He got flustered trying to find his keys in a hurry.

Refers to making someone feel worried or upset. It often implies causing a more intense emotional reaction compared to 'flustered'.

• The news about the accident agitated him greatly.
• The constant noise from the construction site agitated the residents.

Describes a state where someone's mind is not clear, often because they do not understand something. It can be caused by complex information or mixed signals.

• The complicated instructions confused me.
• Her contradictory statements confused her friends.

Used when something causes someone to feel worried or uncomfortable, especially because it is unexpected or surprising. It's a more formal term.

• His direct question disconcerted her during the meeting.
• The sudden change in plans disconcerted the team.