confused

adjective

con·​fused kən-ˈfyüzd How to pronounce confused (audio)
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 trailHarry Hervey
3
: being disordered or mixed up
a contradictory and often confused story
confusedly adverb
confusedness noun

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 Trending on Billboard Despite the insistence from West and his followers that Thursday’s performance was high art, most fans left the hour-long performance looking disappointed and confused. Dave Brooks, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024 Then, a confused Timberlake is met with the first woman who is standing on an elevated surface and unleashes her giant wings as a dark liquid spills out of her mouth. Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 However, as young Joseph began to move towards his grandfather, Trump walked away, leaving the child looking sad and confused, the clip shows. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024 To reach the house, visitors drive up the dark, narrow mountain road hemmed in on both sides by foliage, before arriving, slightly carsick, slightly confused, at the low-slung residence with a modest roofline. Kristina Linnea Garcia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 While speaking with the host, Margolyes seemed confused about the fact that those who grew up with the books and movies are still so engrossed in the Wizarding World, despite being adults at this point. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024 And the Clippers looked confused playing against Milwaukee’s zone defense, especially in the fourth quarter. Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The Biden administration’s hopelessly confused approach to navigating the domestic politics of Israel’s defensive war against Hamas was reflected in Vice President Kamala Harris’s equally confused remarks on the subject over the weekend. Noah Rothman, National Review, 4 Mar. 2024 Since this half-baked decision yesterday, our delegates are very confused and upset. Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'confused.' 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 — more at confuse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near confused

Cite this Entry

“Confused.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confused. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

confused

adjective
con·​fused kən-ˈfyüzd How to pronounce confused (audio)
: affected with mental confusion

More from Merriam-Webster on confused

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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