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
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.
Recent Examples of confuse
Having to speak to Gloucester and Edmund, the bad and the worse, Kent is confused from the get-go that some comment or conspiracy seems expected of him.
—
Nan Z. Da
june 10, Literary Hub, 10 June 2025
The measures are set to take effect on Monday and have left many Haitians confused.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Elections and Certifications Don’t confuse a benefit or B corporation with a B Corp.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Weight loss and fat loss are often confused as the same thing.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Nan Z. Da
june 10, Literary Hub, 10 June 2025
The measures are set to take effect on Monday and have left many Haitians confused.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Elections and Certifications Don’t confuse a benefit or B corporation with a B Corp.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Weight loss and fat loss are often confused as the same thing.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuse
Verb
-
Lynskey says she’s been bewildered by the fans who’ve directed online vitriol at Shauna this season, while seemingly forgiving the sins of Shauna’s husband Jeff (Warren Cole) and the heinous crimes committed by Misty (Christina Ricci).—
Todd Longwell,
Variety,
2 June 2025
-
Both were bewildered by this fashion design travesty.—
Sherry Kuehl,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Adding another first rounder this summer would have complicated both the team’s rotation and salary structure.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
-
The budget bill championed by President Donald Trump could complicate next year’s tax filing season after the IRS lost one-quarter of its employees through staffing cuts, an independent watchdog reported Wednesday.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
That said, we could be mistaken in our evaluation and investors may be inclined to pay a premium for AVAV, influenced by the increasing demand for drones, broadening applications, new product offerings, and the recent BlueHalo acquisition.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
Additionally, this opens up an entirely new mystery; the team still can't quite explain how Relay 2 managed to fire off a signal that could be mistaken for an FRB.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
And best of all, no one could possibly be embarrassed by these empathetic words.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
-
Mavericks 4-2 over Heat (2011): Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs absolutely embarrassed the Heatles.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
Globally, heatwaves, droughts, and extreme weather are disrupting supply chains, inflating food prices, and undermining financial stability.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
-
These attacks don’t just disrupt operations but also expose deeply personal financial information that can fuel identity theft, fraud and long-term reputational damage.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
With appetites for true crime documentaries seemingly insatiable, some viewers will be perplexed and even frustrated at how the directors don’t want to play investigative reporter or detective.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
-
They’re perplexed by the new arrival in their midst, but in time Laura and the lonely, unforthcoming Max warm to each other, and the four form an odd, intuitive family unit.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
Part of that brand was to label it a ‘spirit,’ blurring the psychological lines between an alcoholic beverage and a THC one.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
At a sunny oceanfront venue, the line between a vacation-ready, potentially too-casual sundress and appropriate wedding-guest attire blurs.—
Catie Pusateri,
Glamour,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
This means they are not flustered by travel and seem to flourish no matter the surface or circumstances.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
-
For years, he has been flustered by the contact an Alex Caruso or OG Anunoby can get away with in the post, relative to someone like Karl-Anthony Towns.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuse. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share