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
Restaurants that have a smaller 3% charge to cover healthcare might leave customers confused on how to proceed.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Netflix representatives have been warning investors not to confuse the expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period with regulatory clearance, citing examples where DOJ investigations have continued, per a note from Guggenheim Securities this week.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Although that conversation about facts does often confuse me a little bit.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
There is zero chance of the 88-85 win getting confused with a Picasso but at this time of the year, neither style points nor artistic value matter.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confuse
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Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Netflix representatives have been warning investors not to confuse the expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period with regulatory clearance, citing examples where DOJ investigations have continued, per a note from Guggenheim Securities this week.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Although that conversation about facts does often confuse me a little bit.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
There is zero chance of the 88-85 win getting confused with a Picasso but at this time of the year, neither style points nor artistic value matter.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confuse. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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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