confused

adjective

con·​fused kən-ˈfyüzd 

1

a

: being perplexed or disconcerted

the confused students

b

: disoriented with regard to one's sense of time, place, or identity

The patient became confused.

2

: indistinguishable

a zigzag, crisscross, confused trail

—Harry Hervey

3

: being disordered or mixed up

a contradictory and often confused story

confusedly

kən-ˈfyü-zəd-lē 

-ˈfyüzd-

adverb

confusedness

kən-ˈfyü-zəd-nəs 

-ˈfyüz(d)-

noun

Synonyms

• chaotic
• cluttered
• disarranged
• disarrayed
• disheveled
• dishevelled
• disordered
• disorderly
• higgledy-piggledy
• hugger-mugger
• jumbled
• littered
• messed
• messy
• muddled
• mussed
• mussy
• pell-mell
• rumpled
• sloppy
• topsy-turvy
• tousled
• tumbled
• unkempt
• untidy
• upside-down

Examples of confused in a Sentence

I've never been so confused.

We're confused about what to do next.

He gave a confused speech denying the accusations.

Recent Examples on the Web

So instead of drawing them closer, the silent treatment (and any accompanying eye rolls) has the opposite effect, leaving your partner confused, insecure, or worse: doubting your connection altogether. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 16 Oct. 2024

The format was fun but the comedic beats were almost identical to the previous two cold opens, with a confused Biden, the bombastic dad-energy of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (Jim Gaffigan) and second gentleman Doug Emhoff (Samberg). —Omar Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2024

Regarding the Japanese economy more broadly, many investors are confused because the stock market is at record highs, but the yen is very weak. —Charlie Campbell, TIME, 13 Oct. 2024

Related Content Elon Musk is now banning journalists and competitors on Twitter Tesla's cars still can't fully self-drive through an empty tunnel For the unauthorized cars getting into the tunnels, the problem seems to be drivers who are confused, don’t pay attention to anything, or both. —Lawrence Hodge / Jalopnik, Quartz, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English — more at confuse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

confused

adjective

con·​fused kən-ˈfyüzd 

: affected with mental confusion