confused

adjective

con·​fused kən-ˈfyüzd 

1

a

: being perplexed or disconcerted

the confused students

b

: disoriented with regard to one's sense of time, place, or identity

The patient became confused.

2

: indistinguishable

… a zigzag, crisscross, confused trail …

—Harry Hervey

3

: being disordered or mixed up

a contradictory and often confused story

confusedly

kən-ˈfyü-zəd-lē 

-ˈfyüzd-

adverb

confusedness

kən-ˈfyü-zəd-nəs 

-ˈfyüz(d)-

noun

Synonyms of confused

• messy
• chaotic
• littered
• jumbled
• sloppy
• cluttered
• messed
• muddled
• filthy

Examples of confused in a Sentence

I've never been so confused.

We're confused about what to do next.

He gave a confused speech denying the accusations.

Recent Examples on the Web

If Zhou was somehow confused about what the Lavely & Singer co-founder was trying to convey on Renner’s part, the lawyer reiterated his primary star power point in the three-page missive. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025

The song choices drew a generational divide, as the younger audience members could be seen singing along, while the older ones looked confused at what was happening. —Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025

After the 2026 Grammy nominees were revealed on Friday, some music lovers are a bit confused about Billie Eilish‘s nominations, so The Hollywood Reporter is breaking it down. —Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025

The reasoning left her confused and hurt. —Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English — more at confuse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for confused

• disabused
• overused
• underused
• unexcused
• abused
• accused
• amused
• bemused
• contused
• defused
• diffused
• disused

Medical Definition

confused

adjective

con·​fused kən-ˈfyüzd 

: affected with mental confusion