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

The drones rip through the hallways scanning for a threat before disorienting a suspect using flashing lights and subduing them using pepper balls or by ramming into their body, the company says. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

As of Wednesday night, the peacock is recovering at the Pasadena Humane Society, where it was taken after it was found injured and disoriented by Los Angeles County Animal Control officers. — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Explosions and military sonar can disorient or injure animals that rely on sound to communicate and navigate. — Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Luwi was disoriented by how much had changed in the years he was gone. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 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
• presidente
• reinvent
• represent
• underwent
• accent

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