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
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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
This was out of respect for me, and also to avoid confusing the children.
—
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Windows of the East Wing looked out over the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, not to be confused with the Rose Garden.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
But the state's message confuses parents, especially the poor and underserved, Anzalone said.
—Arthur Allen, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
Childs was confused about the nature of their relationship — and why Zelocchi had the laptop in the first place.
—Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Windows of the East Wing looked out over the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, not to be confused with the Rose Garden.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
But the state's message confuses parents, especially the poor and underserved, Anzalone said.
—Arthur Allen, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
Childs was confused about the nature of their relationship — and why Zelocchi had the laptop in the first place.
—Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuse
Verb
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The sense of arbitrariness that had previously bewildered and frustrated me was drowned out by excitement and sheer aesthetic pleasure.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Cody Meissner, a pediatric professor at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine who has served on ACIP in the past—arguably the most qualified of Kennedy's new lineup—was bewildered at why the committee was rehashing the issue addressed years ago.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sparked by a budget impasse, the shutdown’s ripple effects are now reaching state-level programs, with funding delays and legal constraints complicating the picture.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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Growing up, Preston and Jayden often accompanied their mom on tour and visited during her Las Vegas residency, but Federline and Spears' co-parenting relationship has often been complicated.—
Emily Krauser,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The woman mistook him for an Uber driver and got in his car, according to deputies.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
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Though not much is known about their relationship, the famed Sex and the City actress had played into a funny moment when 60 Minutes mistook her for Justin's mother, Margaret, in a retrospective.—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, the heist spotlights embarrassing security failings at one of France’s most venerable institutions.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
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The New York Mets fell short of the postseason in embarrassing fashion last season, so this offseason is going to be more important than ever.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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He was also accused of disrupting a second informational table hosted by a student group, according to Illinois State University Police.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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Kathryn Palmer The shutdown unfortunately disrupted my weekend plans to check out the FDR Presidential Library in upstate New York, but the gorgeous fall weather in the area was a welcome consolation.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Illston appeared frustrated and perplexed by the government's unwillingness to engage on the merits during the hearing.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
15 Oct. 2025
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The 18 runs plundered off one over was the most Jasprit Bumrah had ever conceded in Tests, leaving the bowler perplexed as he was replaced.—
Sam Dalling,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Draped in orange velvet curtains, layered with vintage rugs and filled with embellished pieces that feel as if they’ve been discovered in another time, the space is designed to create an atmosphere that blurs the line between fashion and fantasy.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
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Battling the debilitating symptoms of a late-stage brain tumor, his grasp on reality becomes increasingly fragile, and as the unlikely duo sets out on the run, old memories blur with the present, dredging up dark secrets from his past.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nor is he flustered when the offense stalls.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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Listed at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Trigg is on a hot streak with 60-plus yards in three straight games, including 155 yards against a Kansas State defense that flustered TCU on Saturday in Manhattan.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuse. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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