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
Iran has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to exploit the rhythms of American politics — election cycles, media pressures, bureaucratic fragmentation — to delay, confuse, and outmaneuver counterparts.
—Gaurav Srivastava, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026
The Rockets were confused, Durant being a late scratch and their attack being lost without him, Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson combining for 38 shots and a bunch of misses.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Mulch too close to the trunk can also confuse the tree or shrub into growing new roots or offshoots.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
Suddenly, your life is a chaotic mix of doctors’ appointments, calls from insurance adjusters, and a pile of paperwork filled with confusing legal jargon.
—William Jones, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confuse
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Gaurav Srivastava, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026
The Rockets were confused, Durant being a late scratch and their attack being lost without him, Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson combining for 38 shots and a bunch of misses.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Mulch too close to the trunk can also confuse the tree or shrub into growing new roots or offshoots.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
Suddenly, your life is a chaotic mix of doctors’ appointments, calls from insurance adjusters, and a pile of paperwork filled with confusing legal jargon.
—William Jones, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 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 20 Apr. 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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