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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fluster
Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
The lanyard on our neighbor’s flagpole clanks in the wind, the fraying stars and stripes
fluster and droop.
—Rosanna Warren, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025
Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
In the interview, which was published Thursday, Roberts recalled becoming flustered ahead of her first encounter with Sevigny.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluster
Noun
Olsen plays Joan’s indecision with winsome fluster, at first breathy and trembling but eventually finding her resolve.
—Verb
The Bulldogs were able to fluster Sam Leavitt and Joey Aguilar, two high-level quarterbacks who combined to go 34-of-63 with just two touchdowns and four interceptions against them.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluster
Noun
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Witnesses described scenes of panic as flames spread rapidly through the basement level before engulfing the upper floor.—
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Kaitlin spent the first weeks of her newborn son’s life in a panic.—
Noun
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Multiple helpers can slow response during urgent scams and create confusion when fast decisions matter.—
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The category confusion continued this year.—
Verb
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The report reiterated concerns about seven situations, two of which have been on the list since 2007, including the bureaucracy’s chronic inability to successfully employ information technology — embarrassing for a state that is the global center for digital tools.—
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The report reiterated concerns about seven situations, two of which have been on the list since 2007, including the bureaucracy’s chronic inability to successfully employ information technology — embarrassing for a state that is the global center for digital tools.—
Noun
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As much as Payton bristles about media storylines and huffs about tempo questions, the Broncos went 25 minutes without a first down against Las Vegas.—
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After 36 minutes of cagey huff-and-puff, Arsenal’s clean-sheet record was spoiled again in game nine of their run, though, as in 1903, their undefeatedness in that stretch was to remain intact.—
Noun
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Vulnerability is currency on reality television, and after a season of exposing their own struggles and embarrassments, the other women are annoyed that Meredith wants to keep up appearances.—
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The current Giants are built to avoid embarrassment, not maximize upside — and Super Bowls require risk.—
Verb
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The 40-year-old cooks up ways to make quarterbacks miserable in his sleep, devising schemes that are meant to lure as much as they are intended to confuse.—
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Canales-Pelaez said that local departments may be confusing administrative warrants with criminal ones, or overcomplying to avoid backlash from the state Legislature.—
Noun
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While Nicole Kidman appeared to settle her divorce from Keith Urban quickly and without much fuss, a less amicable situation reportedly unfolded behind the scenes, in part due to the painful aftermath of her 2001 divorce from first husband Tom Cruise.—
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Vongerichten didn’t get his reputation for nothing; try his signature tuna tartare with avocado, radish, and a ginger marinade and you’ll be reminded what the fuss is about.—
Verb
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Pulling up from the free-throw line with a defender a few feet ahead, Andrews’ midrange jumper rattled inside the basket before popping back out as the buzzer sounded.—
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When shopkeepers in the narrow streets of Tehran’s Grand Bazaar protested the government’s failing economic policies, their chants rattled the regime.—
Cite this Entry
“Fluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluster. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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