confused; confusing
1
: to disturb in mind or purpose : throw off
The directions she gave confused us.
2
a
: to make indistinct : blur
Stop confusing the issue.
b
: to fail to differentiate from an often similar or related other
confuse money with comfort
Do not confuse the words "flaunt" and "flout."
c
: to mix indiscriminately : jumble
Their arms, legs, and bodies were confused together, till they resembled … two serpents interlaced.—
Thomas Medwin
Thomas Medwin3
: to make embarrassed : abash
4
archaic
: to bring to ruin
Synonyms
Examples of confuse in a Sentence
The general was trying to confuse the enemy.
The new evidence only confused matters further.
You must be confusing me with someone else.
Recent Examples on the Web
This specific design broke the decoy’s shape into smaller visual fragments, confusing the predators.
—Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Some reports by think tanks and on social media appear to confuse TdA with South American theft groups (SATG) operating in the Midwest.
—Bethany Blankley | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
One bald onlooker sitting across the carriage looked on, seemingly confused by the impromptu floor salon.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Both cases have also revealed deep wells of mistrust and anger within tennis from fans and players alike, confused at players being allowed to play while under investigation.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for confuse 
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Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Some reports by think tanks and on social media appear to confuse TdA with South American theft groups (SATG) operating in the Midwest.
—Bethany Blankley | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
One bald onlooker sitting across the carriage looked on, seemingly confused by the impromptu floor salon.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Both cases have also revealed deep wells of mistrust and anger within tennis from fans and players alike, confused at players being allowed to play while under investigation.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for confuse
Articles Related to confuse
Dictionary Entries Near confuse
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confuse. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
confuse
verb
con·fuse
kən-ˈfyüz 
confused; confusing
1
a
: to make mentally foggy or uncertain : perplex
the complicated problem confused us
b
: to cause to be embarrassed or upset
2
: to make unclear : blur
stop confusing the issue
3
: to make disordered : jumble
the cords were all confused together
4
: to fail to tell apart
teachers always confused the twins
confusedly
adverb
-ˈfyüz(-ə)d-lē
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