confuse

verb

con·​fuse kən-ˈfyüz How to pronounce confuse (audio)
confused; confusing
Synonyms of confuse

transitive verb

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
3
: to make embarrassed : abash
4
archaic : to bring to ruin
confusingly
kən-ˈfyü-ziŋ-lē How to pronounce confuse (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of confuse

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Two planes ended up on a collision course last month after an erroneous warning light slowed a takeoff and an air traffic controller got confused, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board. — Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 23 July 2026 Entrepreneurs often confuse running a profitable business with owning one valuable for sale. — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 The earthy color palette grounds the design in something surprisingly neutral, though guests won’t confuse your aesthetic as understated. — Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2026 How Patients Can Choose More Carefully Istanbul has a lot of options, which can feel both useful and also confusing at the same time. — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for confuse

Word History

Etymology

Middle English confusen, back-formation from confused "frustrated, ruined," participle based on Anglo-French confus, borrowed from Latin confūsus, past participle of confundere "to pour together, blend, bring into disorder, destroy, disconcert" — more at confound

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of confuse was in the 14th century

Rhymes for confuse

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Browse Nearby Words

confusable
confuse
confused
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confuse. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

confuse

verb
con·​fuse kən-ˈfyüz How to pronounce confuse (audio)
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
-ˈfyüz(-ə)d-lē
adverb
confusingly
-ˈfyü-ziŋ-lē How to pronounce confuse (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on confuse

Nglish: Translation of confuse for Spanish Speakers

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