Spanish word

desconcertante

Pronunciation

IPA/deskonθeɾˈtante/

Meaning

  • adjectivedisconcerting

Example

La pregunta fue desconcertante para todos.

The question was disconcerting to everyone.

Illustration for desconcertante (disconcerting)

More examples

La reacción desconcertante del público no se esperaba.

The audience's disconcerting reaction was not expected.

Core concept

An unexpected disruption that makes an immediate reaction difficult.

Common phrases

  • reacción desconcertante

    disconcerting reaction

  • mirada desconcertante

    disconcerting look

Similar words

confuso: Leaves ideas or information jumbled, making them hard to follow.
desconcertado: Leaves a person unsure how to act and visibly unsettled.
perplejo: Leaves a person momentarily at a loss for words or actions.
atónito: Leaves a person stunned and speechless from shock or amazement.

Definition in Spanish

Que causa desconcierto o perplejidad en quien lo percibe y dificulta una respuesta inmediata.

Word origin

From the verb desconcertar, formed with prefix des- 'undo' plus concertar 'to arrange or harmonize' (from Latin concertare), so the adjective names what undoes an expected arrangement.

Usage tips

  • Desconcertante normally describes the thing that causes bewilderment, while a person's puzzled state is expressed with estar + desconcertado/a.

Other meanings

  • confusingadjective
  • bafflingadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word