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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
The concerned little one then ran to grab a napkin, though Schroeder seemed confused.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 24 Apr. 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
Their No 9 fixation, the last piece of Arteta’s jigsaw, will dominate the summer but the truth is their jigsaw will be better than anybody else’s in 2025-26: fresher than Liverpool’s, more coherent than Manchester City’s, more seasoned than Newcastle’s and less confused than Chelsea’s.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
The concerned little one then ran to grab a napkin, though Schroeder seemed confused.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 24 Apr. 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
-
That mix of vulnerability, humor, and diplomacy is classic Angela: unbothered but not detached, direct but never messy.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Downside: Their fall was so swift and messy that this might not be a quick turnaround — and, if the Rangers are bad again in 2025-26, a new coach might get swept out the door with GM Chris Drury.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The actor—who is also currently filming season three of Euphoria—took the time to walk the wide-eyed and probably quite bewildered pup around the carpeted front of the hotel, and looked chic doing it.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
7 May 2025
-
Heyman then handed the chair to a bewildered Roman Reigns, who used it to strike downed CM Punk.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
After a season disrupted by injuries and fewer starts, the writing was on the wall.—
Julia Ranney,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Behind the scenes there was no doubt other dreams were dashed and processes disrupted.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Viewers looked forward to their weekly check-in with Akil’s characters, who are as flawed and resilient as real people, neither Shonda levels of chaotic nor reality-TV caricatures.—
Jazmine Hughes,
Vulture,
2 May 2025
-
As chaotic and entertaining as the transfer portal is, keeping star-caliber pieces in college is vital to building a truly elite team.—
Jim Root,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Once Connor Brown deposited the puck into the empty Los Angeles net and rejoiced, the Kings milled about the ice in a dazed and confused state.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
-
The feeling in the crowd was a kind of dazed submission.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Even the guards appeared to be disturbed.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
-
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
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
-
People are unpredictable, distracted, under pressure.—
John Bowe,
CNBC,
1 May 2025
-
But sports cars can also be mishandled by distracted drivers, and Zahornacky said that’s what happened here.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confused. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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