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
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
Do not confuse bilateral trade balances with saving-investment imbalances.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
At first, Liza Ginette was distraught and confused at her children’s silence.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
The red, purple or sometimes gold root vegetable — not to be confused with its white cousin, the sugar beet — is low-calorie and packed with nutrients and compounds linked to benefits, ranging from brain health to athletic performance.
—Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Companion plants with strong odors are used to confuse pests or mask the scent of crops so insect pests cannot find them.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for confuse
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James Broughel, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
At first, Liza Ginette was distraught and confused at her children’s silence.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
The red, purple or sometimes gold root vegetable — not to be confused with its white cousin, the sugar beet — is low-calorie and packed with nutrients and compounds linked to benefits, ranging from brain health to athletic performance.
—Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Companion plants with strong odors are used to confuse pests or mask the scent of crops so insect pests cannot find them.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confuse. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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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