1
as in panic
a state of nervous or irritated concern
all the yelling on the bus put the driver in a fluster
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in confusion
the emotional state of being made self-consciously uncomfortable
there was a palpable fluster in the audience when I asked my awkward question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
was flustered when her parents dragged out her baby pictures for her new boyfriend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of fluster
Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2023
In the 4 1/2 games Chubb missed, the Browns had their quarterback win a game (Bengals), needed last-second heroics from Odell Beckham Jr. in Dallas, and had the defense fluster Colts quarterback Phillip Rivers into two interceptions and a safety.
—Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, 12 Nov. 2020
Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Many of the world’s best players left flustered by Pete and Alice Dye’s grand examination.
—Justin Ray, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluster
Noun
There’s cringe comedy in their fluster opposite her flamboyant imbecility.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2023
In the 4 1/2 games Chubb missed, the Browns had their quarterback win a game (Bengals), needed last-second heroics from Odell Beckham Jr. in Dallas, and had the defense fluster Colts quarterback Phillip Rivers into two interceptions and a safety.
—Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, 12 Nov. 2020
Verb
Max Fried doesn’t get flustered.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Many of the world’s best players left flustered by Pete and Alice Dye’s grand examination.
—Justin Ray, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluster
Noun
-
Advocacy organizations that defend immigrant rights such as the Rural & Migrant Ministry and the Finger Lakes Rapid Response Network have held workshops to teach immigrants about their legal rights and to discourage them from spreading panic with unverified reports.—
Ana Ley,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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Remove some anxiety by preparing a hurricane kit of essentials now so you aren’t huddled in a soul-crushing line of fellow panic buyers at the supermarkets when the next storm watch and warning arrives.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Plus, the bars are shaped like an ‘S’ and a ‘C’, so there’s no confusion as to which is which.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 May 2025
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According to him, people who engage in financial education come from a place of need, such as growing a family, facing credit denial, having confusion about financial systems, or starting over after immigration or other major life events.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
McGregor dismantled Aldo during the pre-fight lead-up and subsequently embarrassed him in 13 seconds at UFC 194 in 2015.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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But Mei is convinced her overbearing mother only exists to embarrass while never understanding her struggles.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
8 May 2025
Noun
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The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
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Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.—
Oshan Jarow,
Vox,
7 Dec. 2018
Noun
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But this latest exchange had a far less satisfying denouement: an uncertain military outcome and a diplomatic embarrassment, in the eyes of Modi’s nationalist base.—
Vaibhav Vats,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2025
-
Houston has lost its last six against the Ravens, including last year’s 31-2 embarrassment on Christmas Day.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
Also, this word et cetera at the end of the sentence confused me.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
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Weir was confused by the man’s unusual conviction, though.—
Louise Erdrich,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
Noun
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The clip shows the dog making a bee line for his favorite worker and receiving plenty of fuss.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 2025
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At the same time, there is an unshakable sense that successive British Foreign Secretaries and Prime Ministers have been scared to kick up a fuss.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The booms rattle windows, frighten pets, and have raised concerns about threats to the structural integrity of private homes.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 May 2025
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The chill in investor confidence spread to the stock market, but several announcements from Trump about tariffs rattled stocks deeper.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluster. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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