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
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
The monthslong decline has many in crypto confused.
—Ben Weiss, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Law Murray, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Restaurants that have a smaller 3% charge to cover healthcare might leave customers confused on how to proceed.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confused
Adjective
The results truly need to be seen to be believed — a film often at odds with itself in its tonally confused comedy and strangely dramatic romantic story arcs.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
The monthslong decline has many in crypto confused.
—Ben Weiss, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Perhaps the Clippers have confused many fans and media over these last two seasons.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Restaurants that have a smaller 3% charge to cover healthcare might leave customers confused on how to proceed.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confused
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confused
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, at the Milan Fashion Week show, the star embraced an edgy aesthetic with a messy low ponytail and smudged black eyeliner with smoky navy eyeshadow.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
-
That unfolding intra-family fight is messy, to put it mildly, but one that Democrats are relishing.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The usually positive Gauff went negative, lacked energy and seemed bewildered and overwhelmed.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Six of the eight worst games were at Angel Stadium, which also puzzled Soriano.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Peters recalled getting the recordings and being puzzled… again.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This doesn’t need to be complicated, by the way.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
21 Feb. 2026
-
In any event, comparisons between hospitals’ nursing contracts are complicated because facilities may have different units and other specifics.—
Philip Marcelo,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 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
-
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
-
The case has deeply embarrassed the royal family, especially his mother, who suffers from an incurable lung illness and who is torn between her role as mother and future queen.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The business for L’Oréal — a bellwether — remained soft in 2025, especially due to the channel in China being temporarily disrupted by the suspension of the duty-free members app Sunrise and a change in domestic airport operators.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara flights have continued to be disrupted, with the alert citing flight-crew availability.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Buyers who understand neighborhood-level competition, secure financing early and structure offers carefully are best positioned to succeed in a market that remains competitive — but no longer chaotic.—
Allison Palmer
Updated February 23,
Kansas City Star,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Omar Casillas was running a half marathon, about to cross the finish line when things became chaotic.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confused. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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