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

• messy
• chaotic
• littered
• jumbled
• cluttered
• messed
• sloppy
• muddled
• filthy

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

The wave of conflicting and often inaccurate or incomplete information leaves consumers, particularly those already experiencing financial hardship, feeling overwhelmed, confused, frustrated and helpless. —Sandy Anderson, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

One reason employers need to be proactive about social media policies is that employees remain confused about their protections. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025

The friends in the audience who came out to support me were confused and embarrassed. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025

An increasing number of boys are lonely, isolated and confused, wrestling with the aftermath of the #MeToo movement and the expectations of rigid masculinity, which has been widely characterized as toxic. —Don Riddell, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English — more at confuse

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for confused

• disabused
• overused
• underused
• unexcused
• abused
• accused
• amused
• bemused
• contused
• defused
• diffused
• disused

Medical Definition

confused

adjective

con·​fused kən-ˈfyüzd 

: affected with mental confusion