1
as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
the cans were lying in a confused jumble in the basement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bewildered
suffering from mental confusion
she was briefly confused after her fall from the horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in puzzled
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the similar-sounding words "censure" and "censor" often confuse people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complicated
to make (something) unclear to the understanding
stop confusing the issue with irrelevant facts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mistook
to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related
a lot of people confuse popular fame with enduring achievement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in embarrassed
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
she was confused by the shocking bluntness of his marriage proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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5
as in disrupted
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
vandals had hopelessly confused the papers in the office files
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confused
James Folta, Literary Hub, 17 June 2025
This seemed deliberately designed to be hurtful, and indeed I am hurt and confused.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
Nicholas Rice, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, the state’s agriculture department, which had been routinely testing Raw Farm milk products kept getting negative results — leaving infectious disease experts confused.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for confused
Adjective
Pair with: Lise from Tove Ditlevsen’s Faces is a quintessential heartsick and confused character to me, who is looking for some relief too.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 17 June 2025
This seemed deliberately designed to be hurtful, and indeed I am hurt and confused.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
Verb
However, the Madea star said his science teacher then asked him about dissecting the animal, which confused a young Perry.
—Nicholas Rice, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, the state’s agriculture department, which had been routinely testing Raw Farm milk products kept getting negative results — leaving infectious disease experts confused.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for confused
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confused
Adjective
-
Worn with the wrong pieces, the look can seem messy or ill-defined.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
17 June 2025
-
As for her glam, the jewelry designer tossed her hair back into a messy bun with strands of hair to frame her face.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
There were also problems connecting to the internet and to phone networks, leaving many bewildered and unable to obtain information.—
Catherine Porter,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Tornado is a bewildered Japanese girl (played by pop singer Kôki) who fights off a horde of white men, thieving gold vagabonds who represent both Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Celtic ancestry.—
Armond White,
National Review,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Behind the scenes there was no doubt other dreams were dashed and processes disrupted.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
After a season disrupted by injuries and fewer starts, the writing was on the wall.—
Julia Ranney,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
He was reinstated after a chaotic week that included a mass employee revolt and a brief stint at Microsoft.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
20 June 2025
-
The chaotic scenes unfolded when agents deployed rubber bullets, tear gas and flash bangs to disperse the crowd who had swarmed the compound, according to video captured by Turning Point USA’s Frontlines.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
In his latest, Minervini brings viewers into the thick of the Civil War, only to find the same dazed souls and gnawing uncertainties that have always been his focus.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
-
The internet, like a dazed prize fighter, wobbles on its last legs before going down.—
Jake Coyle,
Twin Cities,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
These five destinations show that sharing the shore with animals can be calm, safe and memorable for the right reasons when animals aren’t fed or disturbed.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Even the guards appeared to be disturbed.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Analysts at Mizuho shuffled up its top picks in a note Monday.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Stop Scripting Development Employees need to grow into opportunities, not be shuffled into roles.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Some people have suggested that red-light cameras would be helpful, but Linke said that a key way to reduce the number of distracted drivers is furthering education.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2025
-
In 2023, Elon Musk seemed too distracted by his latest venture to run the world’s most valuable car company.—
Patrick George,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confused. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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