Discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, agitate, upset, fluster, flurry are comparable when they mean to excite one so as to destroy one’s capacity for clear or collected thought or prompt action.
Discompose is sometimes only slightly more suggestive of mental confusion than disconcert or discomfit; usually, however, it implies greater emotional stress and an actual loss of self-control or selfconfidence.
Disquiet stresses the loss, not of composure, but of something deeper (as one’s sense of security or of well-being or one’s peace of mind).
Disturb, unlike the preceding words, carries no implication of a loss of one’s balance or of an excess of emotion; usually it implies marked interference with one’s mental processes (as by worry, perplexity, disappointment, or interruption).
Perturb implies deep disturbance and unsettle ment of mind; it usually connotes a cause for disquietude or alarm.
Agitate emphasizes the loss of calmness and self-control and implies obvious signs of nervous or emotional excitement. It does not, however, always suggest distress of mind or a cause of worry.
Upset, like agitate, implies a nervous reaction, but it usually presupposes a cause that brings disappointment or distress or sorrow.
Fluster may carry a suggestion of the excitement and confusion induced by drinking intoxicants, but it usually suggests the agitation, bewilderment, and sometimes fright induced by sudden and often unexpected demands, commands, needs, or crises.
Flurry suggests the excitement, commotion, and confusion induced by great haste or alarm.