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

Immediately disoriented, confused and dizzy. —Scott Pelley, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026

Current ride-share insurance minimums already leave many victims undercompensated and confused. —Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026

The president's son advising may be a commonality, but Mansour is quick to argue that Polymarket is the law-breaking, shady foreign exchange, with Kalshi's X account often attacking those who get confused. —Bobby Allyn, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026

Avery Rowland, a trans woman who lives in Girard, tried to get a new driver’s license at the Crawford County Courthouse on Thursday morning, but the clerk was confused. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 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