fluster

1 of 2

verb

flus·​ter ˈflə-stər How to pronounce fluster (audio)
flustered; flustering ˈflə-st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce fluster (audio)
Synonyms of flusternext

transitive verb

1
: to put into a state of agitated confusion : upset
The speaker was obviously flustered by the interruption.
"Now don't overexcite yourself, Grandpa," Mrs. Bucket said. "And don't fluster poor Charlie. We must all try to keep very calm."—Roald Dahl
2
: to make tipsy
There is much that is, in truth, dishonest even in honest play. A man who can keep himself sober after dinner plays [cards] with one who flusters himself with drink.—Anthony Trollope

fluster

2 of 2

noun

: a state of agitated confusion
They had been talking about it for days, and when they were getting ready to go out they were all in a fluster.—Louise Fitzhugh

Synonyms

Verb

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for fluster

discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, agitate, upset, fluster mean to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action.

discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

Examples of fluster in a Sentence

Verb The interruption flustered the speaker. Some speakers fluster more easily than others. Noun all the yelling on the bus put the driver in a fluster there was a palpable fluster in the audience when I asked my awkward question
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Unexpected Praise Leaders can be flustered when given unsolicited compliments. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 The Wolfsburg goals rattled both centre-backs who were easily flustered by a high press that quickly intensified. —Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 25 Aug. 2024
Noun
The 6-1, 220-pounder repeatedly flusters defenses by escaping out of would-be sacks and delivering seemingly impossible throws. —Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2023 Robinson could well be the missing Lombardi piece here, not to mention a lethal complement to newly minted QB Jalen Hurts – a combo that could truly fluster defenses. —Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for fluster 

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Icelandic flaustur hurry

First Known Use

Verb

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1712, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fluster was in 1604

Dictionary Entries Near fluster

flusker

fluster

flustered

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Fluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluster. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

fluster

verb
flus·​ter
ˈfləs-tər
flustered; flustering
-t(ə-)riŋ
: to make nervous and unsure : upset
flustered by their rudeness
fluster noun

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Nglish: Translation of fluster for Spanish Speakers

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