disorient

verb

dis·​ori·​ent (ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-ē-ˌent 

disoriented; disorienting; disorients

transitive verb

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

Synonyms of disorient

• confuse
• bewilder
• perplex
• baffle
• puzzle

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

Americans of all political tendencies increasingly favor sweeping, disorienting political change. —Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026

Haley Rose, Nova's mom, said Charlene sustained a head injury, and was confused and disoriented after the fall. —Staff Author, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026

They grow disoriented because of noise pollution from shipping, oil drilling, and military operations. —Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026

Video from Peters' livestream that night showed him appearing increasingly disoriented before the stream abruptly ended, raising concern among viewers. —Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French désorienter, from dés- dis- + orienter to orient

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for disorient

• circumvent
• discontent
• fundament
• malcontent
• occident
• orient
• president
• reinvent
• represent
• underwent
• accent
• advent

Kids 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