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
Michael Adno, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
Gemini appeared confused and unpredictable, switching between peaceful signaling and threatening violence, based on the situation.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Chris Klimek, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Still, many people get overwhelmed or confused by this situation and choose to do nothing.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confused
Adjective
Soon after, the board chairman at the time called Van Lent confused.
—Michael Adno, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
Gemini appeared confused and unpredictable, switching between peaceful signaling and threatening violence, based on the situation.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
The 2026 Alan Ritchson–starring Netflix movie War Machine, not to be confused with the 2017 Brad Pitt–starring Netflix movie War Machine, is sating a public appetite.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Still, many people get overwhelmed or confused by this situation and choose to do nothing.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confused
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confused
Adjective
-
The piece is also outdoor-safe and easy to care for; simply wipe it down with a dry cloth after a messy project.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The series revolves around three awkward high school sophomores — Steven (Martin), Garrett (Taylor) and Anna (Pruitt) — who stumble through the messy world of teenage romance and identity, learning that sucking at girls is just part of growing up.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The tragedy at first bewildered law enforcement in both states, as investigators were unsure why Miller traveled to Utah or why the three women were killed.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Olivier tried successfully to get the reader to understand how a gentle, pacific young man could come to kill more than a thousand people, and so capturing the tone and empathetic portrayal not only of Simo Häyhä and his colleagues but also of the often-bewildered Russian soldiers was essential.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Now, a growing chorus of tech leaders is singing the praises of AI as the key to solving the medical mystery that has puzzled physicians for millennia.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The poor rott just stood there with its tail tucked between its legs, puzzled.—
Andrew Norman Wilson,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the strikes on atomic facilities last year complicated the task of tracking the uranium.—
Jonathan Tirone,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The conflict has complicated the defining trade for 2026, with risks on the rise and investors facing the risk of inflation and a hit to growth, making the Treasury market outlook highly uncertain.—
Michael MacKenzie,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And Petrecca mistook Brazil’s delegation for Bulgaria’s.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Others mistook Caesar’s top-down approach for a desire to replace the Republic with a monarchy.—
Paul Vanderbroeck,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Would the girl with the bright smile have been embarrassed by her love Stitch as a teen?—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The team embarrassed Canada, 5-0, in the preliminary round, and swept the North American neighbor in four straight Olympic tune-ups.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, air travel across the Middle East remains severely disrupted, with Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad all saying their operations continue to be suspended due to safety concerns.—
Lee Ying Shan,Anniek Bao,Victor Loh,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Evacuation flights have begun departing the UAE after airport closures that have disrupted some of the world’s busiest airports.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The attack unfolded in a chaotic scene Lang’s sparsely attended protest Saturday drew a far larger group of counterdemonstrators.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The scene had grown chaotic even before the devices were thrown.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confused. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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