disorient
verb
dis·ori·ent
(ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-ē-ˌent 
disoriented; disorienting; disorients
1
a
: to cause to lose bearings : displace from normal position or relationship
b
: to cause to lose the sense of time, place, or identity
2
: confuse
Examples of disorient in a Sentence
Thick fog can disorient even an experienced hiker.
troops disoriented by the sudden change in battle plans
Recent Examples on the Web
Perhaps this is why this moment feels psychologically disorienting for so many of us.
—
Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Lacking adaptability, the machines can be completely disoriented by a simple change, like moving a chair, and halted in their progress.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026
Too much red, meanwhile, risks disorienting penguins, whose eyes can’t perceive it (likely because red light does not deeply penetrate the ocean, which is their primary hunting environment).
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
According to video footage, Reid — who was in Chicago for Comic Con — appeared disoriented as several people helped her into a wheelchair.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for disorient
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Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Lacking adaptability, the machines can be completely disoriented by a simple change, like moving a chair, and halted in their progress.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026
Too much red, meanwhile, risks disorienting penguins, whose eyes can’t perceive it (likely because red light does not deeply penetrate the ocean, which is their primary hunting environment).
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
According to video footage, Reid — who was in Chicago for Comic Con — appeared disoriented as several people helped her into a wheelchair.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for disorient
Cite this Entry
“Disorient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorient. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
disorient
verb
dis·ori·ent
(ˈ)dis-ˈōr-ē-ˌent
-ˈȯr-
: to cause to be confused or lost
Medical Definition
disorient
transitive verb
dis·ori·ent
(ˈ)dis-ˈōr-ē-ˌent, -ˈȯr-
: to produce a state of disorientation in : disorientate
the next day the patient was disoriented but not comatose—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
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