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 of confused

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

This year, my mother was, at first, pleased with the final bill, and then more and more confused. —Anne Enright, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

The Front Page Highlights As Republicans rush to redraw the region’s congressional maps, some voters are confused and concerned, and civil rights activists are gearing up for the fight of a generation. —Rick Rojas Will Warasila Emma Goldberg Mark Bonamo, New York Times, 1 June 2026

During the initial investigation, authorities determined that the man appeared confused and was experiencing a mental health crisis. —Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 May 2026

Even current and former DeSantis communications staffers appeared confused online about it. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026

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