1
as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the similar-sounding words "censure" and "censor" often confuse people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to complicate
to make (something) unclear to the understanding
stop confusing the issue with irrelevant facts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to mistake
to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related
a lot of people confuse popular fame with enduring achievement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
she was confused by the shocking bluntness of his marriage proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
vandals had hopelessly confused the papers in the office files
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confuse
Robots that are startling or distracting, and that confuse or intimidate the average passerby, risk doing more harm than good.
—
Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Astounded, confused disappointed?
—Steve Sedgwick, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
In the Senate Finance Committee hearing last week, Cassidy relayed accounts of a cancer patient being unable to get a COVID-19 vaccine and doctors being confused by the current state of access to the shots.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025
Speaking of, such bold claims risk distracting from the film’s equally impressive auditory elements such as new songs from Aimer and yes, LiSA (not to be confused with BLACKPINK’s Lisa, of course).
—David Opie, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Astounded, confused disappointed?
—Steve Sedgwick, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
In the Senate Finance Committee hearing last week, Cassidy relayed accounts of a cancer patient being unable to get a COVID-19 vaccine and doctors being confused by the current state of access to the shots.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025
Speaking of, such bold claims risk distracting from the film’s equally impressive auditory elements such as new songs from Aimer and yes, LiSA (not to be confused with BLACKPINK’s Lisa, of course).
—David Opie, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuse
Verb
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And aren’t our real-life romantic complications bewildering enough?—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
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Its ginormous investments in higher-value, tech-heavy sectors from smartphones to autos to semiconductors to biotechnology are disrupting the global landscape at bewildering speed.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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During this time of year, tropical activity tends to develop in the Caribbean or Gulf, rather than near Africa, which also complicates response efforts, Francis said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
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However, the current crop of general-purpose humanoids tends to target moderate loads, similar to an average person, because higher payloads complicate balance and actuator sizing.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Don’t mistake interest for critical acclaim — there aren’t any Emmy Awards in the series’ present or future.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
16 Sep. 2025
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No one is going to mistake one for the other.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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We wouldn’t be embarrassed by it, nor would the audience.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
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What People Are Saying Maritime analysts have weighed in on the nature reserve declaration, with some linking it to the August 11 collision that embarrassed Beijing.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, pollution accumulation and vessel noise disrupt their echolocation abilities, making hunting increasingly difficult.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Free of sulfates, fragrances, and dyes, the Gentle Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner won’t disrupt your scalp’s barrier.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For nearly 20 years, astronomers have been perplexed by the strange disk of dust and debris circling Fomalhaut, a bright star just 25 light-years from Earth.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Sep. 2025
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Many historians have been perplexed by how such a seemingly simple man as Shakespeare could have written works of such grandeur and depth.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Long Walk uses the rawness of its spartan premise to venture deep into uncomfortable territory, culminating in an ending that blurs the lines between perseverance and defeat, hope and nihilism.—
James Grebey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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On the third floor, The World of RH Bar and Lounge showcases highlights from other RH destinations around the world, including two jets RH One and Two, the RH Three yacht, and 26 restaurants and bars, showing how seamlessly the brand blurs the line between lifestyle and design.—
Erica Wertheim Zohar,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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McCarthy was having some trouble doing so to start this game, as the Bears’ defense, led by new coordinator Dennis Allen, was drawing up the right pressures to fluster the young signal caller.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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But Brozena was not flustered, winning 16 and 18 to end the match.—
Boston Herald staff,
Boston Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuse. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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