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Definition of discombobulate

discombobulate

/ˌdɪs.kəmˈbɑː.bjə.leɪt/
dis · com · bob · u · late
Adjective:discombobulated
•
Past Simple:discombobulated
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Past Participle:discombobulated
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Present Participle:discombobulating
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discombobulate Lexical Profile

discombobulate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

North American To disconcert, confuse, or throw into a state of muddled disorder (typically used in a humorous or lighthearted manner).

Example

"The sudden change in the flight schedule seemed to completely discombobulate the weary travelers."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for discombobulate
Antonyms
View all antonyms for discombobulate

Word Nuance & Usage

'Discombobulate' is an informal, playful word used almost exclusively in lighthearted or humorous contexts; it is most commonly encountered in its past participle adjective form, 'discombobulated'.

• Rhymes for discombobulate

• Nearby Words

discolor
discoloration
discolorization
discombobulate
discombobulated
discombobulation
discomfit

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in early 19th-century American English as a humorous, fanciful pseudo-Latinism, likely modeled on words such as 'discompose' and 'discomfit'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Discombobulate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/discombobulate
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