Entry Word: confuse

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to throw into a state of mental uncertainty <the similar-sounding words “censure” and “censor” often confuse people>

Synonyms addle, baffle, befog, befuddle, bemuse, bewilder, confound, disorient, muddle, muddy, mystify, perplex, puzzle

Related Words stick, stump; abash, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle; agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, stun, unhinge, unsettle, upset; deceive, misguide, mislead

Near Antonyms assure, reassure, satisfy; enlighten, inform

2 to make (something) unclear to the understanding <stop confusing the issue with irrelevant facts>

Synonyms becloud, befog, blur, cloud, fog, muddy

Related Words complicate, perplex, sophisticate; entangle, snarl, tangle; disorder, jumble, mess (up), mix (up)

Near Antonyms simplify, streamline; disentangle, straighten (out), untangle

Antonyms clarify

3 to throw into a state of self-conscious distress <she was confused by the shocking bluntness of his marriage proposal> — see embarrass 1
4 to undo the proper order or arrangement of <vandals had hopelessly confused the papers in the office files> — see disorder