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
Valerie Monroe, Allure, 7 Aug. 2025
There has been a bigger focus on electability, a concept that Democrats are more confused about after their 2024 nightmare.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 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
Which brings me to another confused issue: the film’s bevy of offensive jokes about old people.
—Valerie Monroe, Allure, 7 Aug. 2025
There has been a bigger focus on electability, a concept that Democrats are more confused about after their 2024 nightmare.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 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
-
Notably, over the next three days — through a hot but noisy producer price index reading and a messy University of Michigan consumer-sentiment survey — the benchmark treated Tuesday’s closing level just under 6,450 as a floor, testing it repeatedly and finishing the week right on it.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The endeavor plays out the way most weddings do, as a messy process with unexpected challenges that test the bounds of teamwork.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Olivia, bewildered and frightened, runs to the vast body of Tierra del Fuego to look for him.—
Jason Liwag,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Whites, bewildered and self-righteous, would find their way to Reagan.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
8 Aug. 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
-
Witnesses described to the Free Press a chaotic scene inside the store as shoppers scrambled to evade the man.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
19 Aug. 2025
-
These chaotic phases serve a crucial purpose that is easy to miss in the moment.—
Ginni Saraswati,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Victim’s family, friends in shock In Miami’s Shenandoah neighborhood just off Coral Way, the sudden death of Loretta, a married telecommunications executive with two teenage children, has devastated his family and dazed neighbors.—
Charles Rabin,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2025
-
The woman called her daughter but was too dazed to explain what had happened.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
3 Aug. 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
-
About one in three nutrias hooked wide left, into the crowd, scattering those audience members who weren’t too distracted or impaired to notice.—
Nathaniel Rich,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
-
In this country, some states are using the technology to give police patrolling the roads a heads-up on drivers coming their way who are breaking laws on distracted driving and speeding.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confused. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
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