discomfiting
Making one squirm
Discomfiting means causing unease, embarrassment, or frustration.
A discomfiting question makes you squirm; discomfiting news unsettles your plans.
The word carries more weight than merely uncomfortable—it suggests being thrown off balance or made to feel foolish: Her discomfiting silence made him ramble nervously.
Often confused with discomforting, which emphasizes physical or emotional discomfort rather than social awkwardness.
Causing unease or discomfort
- disconcertingCausing unease or confusion
- disquietingCausing unease or worry
- unnervingCausing loss of composure
- perturbingCausing mental disturbance
troubling · disturbing · jarring · off-putting · discomposing · rattling · fazed · thrown
Cause severe embarrassment
- humiliateCause painful shame
- abashCause acute discomfort
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
- blushFacial reddening from emotion
red-faced · shame · self-conscious · faux pas · gaffe · cringe · squirm · wince
Lacking grace or ease
- tenseStrained or nervous
- strainedUnder uncomfortable tension
- stiltedUnnaturally formal in expression
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
uneasy · cringe-worthy · toe-curling · painful · excruciating · tactless · indelicate · improper
Eerily beyond normal
- creepyDisturbingly strange
- spookyUnsettlingly strange
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
menacing · chilling · unsettling · weird · strange · otherworldly · ghostly · haunting
Nervous anticipation of trouble
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
worry · tension · edginess · restlessness · jitters · angst · foreboding · disquiet
unsettling
Causing unease or discomfort
- disconcertingCausing unease or confusion
- disquietingCausing unease or worry
- unnervingCausing loss of composure
perturbing · troubling · disturbing · jarring · off-putting · discomposing · rattling · fazed · thrown · wrongfooted
mortify
Cause severe embarrassment
blush · red-faced · shame · self-conscious · faux pas · gaffe · cringe · squirm · wince · awkwardness
awkward
Lacking grace or ease
forced · uneasy · cringe-worthy · toe-curling · painful · excruciating · tactless · indelicate · improper · inappropriate
uncanny
Eerily beyond normal
ominous · menacing · chilling · unsettling · weird · strange · otherworldly · ghostly · haunting · macabre
apprehension
Nervous anticipation of trouble
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- uneaseMild persistent worry
dread · worry · tension · edginess · restlessness · jitters · angst · foreboding · disquiet · agitation
discomfitingcomforting
Giving emotional ease
reassuring · soothing · calming · consoling · settling
discomfitingreassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
encouraging · affirming · supportive · validating · welcoming
discomfort, uncomfortable, confection, disconcert, discomfit, discomfiture, discomfited, discomfits, confect