WordValerattled
made nervous or unsettled
In more detail
1. (adjective) upset, nervous, or confused
2. (verb) past tense of rattle; made a series of short sharp sounds
3. (verb) past tense of rattle; disturbed or upset someone
Examples
- 1. She felt rattled after the car accident and couldn't focus on work.
- 2. The windows rattled loudly when the truck drove past.
- 3. The criticism rattled him, but he tried not to show it.
How to use rattled
Used as an adjective or past participle to describe someone who has lost their composure or confidence, typically following an unexpected or uncomfortable event. It is more informal and conversational than 'disconcerted' or 'disturbed,' and often suggests a temporary, visible agitation rather than deep upset. Common in sports, interviews, and casual contexts where someone visibly loses their poise.
Common phrases
- get rattled
- rattled by
- clearly rattled
- a bit rattled
- rattled nerves
Synonyms
flustered · disconcerted · unsettled · disturbed · agitated
Opposites
calm · composed · unfazed
Word family
rattle (verb) · rattle (noun) · rattling (adjective) · rattler (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse the adjective 'rattled' with 'frustrated' or 'annoyed,' but 'rattled' specifically emphasizes the sense of being shaken or thrown off-balance rather than simply dissatisfied.
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