confusion

noun

con·​fu·​sion kən-ˈfyü-zhən How to pronounce confusion (audio)
1
: an act or instance of confusing
confusion of the issue
2
a
: the quality or state of being confused
Try to relieve their confusion.
mental confusion
b
: a confused mass or mixture
a confusion of voices
confusional
kən-ˈfyüzh-nəl How to pronounce confusion (audio)
-ˈfyü-zhə-nᵊl
adjective

Examples of confusion in a Sentence

There is still some confusion as to the time of the meeting. There is a great deal of confusion about how the system works. the anxieties and confusions of teenage life He stared in confusion and disbelief. There was total confusion when the truck hit the restaurant.
Recent Examples on the Web Janet respects Harris’ dual heritage as both Black and Indian and apologizes for any confusion caused. Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 23 Sep. 2024 Even among the schools, there remained a general confusion about the financial rationale behind Players Era, which was preparing to spend at least four times as much money on NIL payouts than most successful MTEs typically bring in. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2024 Doja Cat is clearing up any confusion about her relationship status with Joseph Quinn. Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 22 Sep. 2024 Also, always include vital details on the label, such as if the contents are gluten-free, to prevent confusion. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for confusion 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'confusion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English confusioun "ruin, disgrace, disorder," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French confusiun, borrowed from Latin confūsiōn-, confūsiō "mixing, combining, disorder, consternation," from confud-, variant stem of confundere "to pour together, blend, bring into disorder, destroy, disconcert" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at confound

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of confusion was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near confusion

Cite this Entry

“Confusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confusion. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

confusion

noun
con·​fu·​sion kən-ˈfyü-zhən How to pronounce confusion (audio)
1
: an act or instance of confusing
2
: the quality or state of being confused
her confusion was obvious

Medical Definition

confusion

noun
con·​fu·​sion kən-ˈfyü-zhən How to pronounce confusion (audio)
: disturbance of consciousness characterized by inability to engage in orderly thought or by lack of power to distinguish, choose, or act decisively
confusional adjective

Legal Definition

confusion

noun
con·​fu·​sion
1
in the civil law of Louisiana : a uniting of two interests or rights in property into one compare merger sense 1
2
in the civil law of Louisiana : the termination of an obligation by a person acquiring the right from which the obligation arose
3
: the mixing or blending together of goods or commodities so that the individual owners cannot identify their own property

called also confusion of goods

More from Merriam-Webster on confusion

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