disconcerted
She felt disconcerted by his sudden change of tone.
She was unsettled or confused because his tone changed unexpectedly.
Feeling anxious or confused due to something unexpected or disturbing.
The unexpected question left him disconcerted.
He felt unsettled and confused by the unexpected question.
She appeared disconcerted by the sudden silence in the room.
The sudden silence made her feel anxious and confused.
Often used to describe a reaction to an awkward or surprising situation.
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'disconcerting'
'Disconcerted' describes a person's feeling, while 'disconcerting' describes something that causes that feeling (e.g., 'His behavior was disconcerting').
Gold Rule
Use 'disconcerted' for emotional reactions
Reserve this word for describing someone's internal state of confusion or unease, not for describing the cause itself.
Word Origin
From French *disconcerter* (to upset), derived from *dis-* (undoing) + *concerter* (to arrange, harmonize), from Latin *concertare* (to contend). First recorded in English in the late 17th century.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in formal or literary contexts to describe emotional discomfort. Less frequently used in casual conversation.