confused; confusing
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
Thomas Medwin3
: to make embarrassed : abash
4
archaic
: to bring to ruin
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
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
But confusing the issue, a new TV Academy rule change dictates that actors who previously nominated for lead or supporting roles can’t be nominated as a guest — even if they’re barely seen this season.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
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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
But confusing the issue, a new TV Academy rule change dictates that actors who previously nominated for lead or supporting roles can’t be nominated as a guest — even if they’re barely seen this season.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confuse. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
confuse
verb
con·fuse
kən-ˈfyüz 
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
adverb
-ˈfyüz(-ə)d-lē
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