1
as in perplexes
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the similar-sounding words "censure" and "censor" often confuse people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complicates
to make (something) unclear to the understanding
stop confusing the issue with irrelevant facts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mistakes
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 embarrasses
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 disrupts
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 confuses
There is a version of leadership that confuses visibility with impact, equating big initiatives and dramatic turnarounds with strong leadership.
—
Monica Cutia, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
The whole concept of toxic fandom confuses me because, outside of the anger and backwards thinking, because who cares about a movie franchise that much?
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
The herb’s fragrance confuses and deters pests from eating your peppers.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2026
Mercury’s clash with Neptune confuses intentions.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 3 June 2026
If a portal confuses you, call the provider, pharmacy or insurance plan directly using the number on your card or the official website.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
The odor masks the scent of animals' preferred vegetables and confuses insect pests, including aphids, carrot flies, cabbage worms and loopers, spider mites, thrips, and Japanese beetles.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 3 May 2026
The low-performing chefs are Rhoda, whose lamb confuses the kids; Sherry, whose grits were oddly flavored; and Oscar, whose puff pastry soaked up all the deep-fryer oil.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Go somewhere that confuses your algorithm.
—Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 10 Mar. 2026
Monica Cutia, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
The whole concept of toxic fandom confuses me because, outside of the anger and backwards thinking, because who cares about a movie franchise that much?
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
The herb’s fragrance confuses and deters pests from eating your peppers.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2026
Mercury’s clash with Neptune confuses intentions.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 3 June 2026
If a portal confuses you, call the provider, pharmacy or insurance plan directly using the number on your card or the official website.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
The odor masks the scent of animals' preferred vegetables and confuses insect pests, including aphids, carrot flies, cabbage worms and loopers, spider mites, thrips, and Japanese beetles.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 3 May 2026
The low-performing chefs are Rhoda, whose lamb confuses the kids; Sherry, whose grits were oddly flavored; and Oscar, whose puff pastry soaked up all the deep-fryer oil.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Go somewhere that confuses your algorithm.
—Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuses
Verb
-
But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And yet the federalist structure of our government — largely giving states the power to determine their own fates — complicates that idea.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
-
There's also a real risk of losing income or savings if a judgment is issued against you, which further complicates the issue.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Over time, these habits become normalized, and the team mistakes low conflict for health.—
Britton Bloch,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Huxley’s critique is clear; America mistakes body for spirit, promiscuously confusing the physical with the metaphysical.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Graft inquiry embarrasses Zelensky Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram announcement that the investigation into Yermak is ongoing.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cypermethrin disrupts thyroid hormones, which are critical to brain development.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Eating quickly disrupts this process, leaving more carbohydrates to be broken down in the stomach and gut, which can lead to blood sugar spikes.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The narrator and his wife find that their attachment to the charismatic and cryptic Chibi grows with the cat’s increasing visits, in a way that bewilders them but somehow bonds them closer together.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Nandi is experiencing severe insomnia, tremors and psychosis, and her quickly deteriorating condition bewilders the emergency room staff.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The city is virtually certain to apply, but the lack of clarity surrounding the application blurs a key part of the stadium plan after the Royals’ celebratory announcement in April.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
-
The uncertainty about who has legal jurisdiction over Alligator Alcatraz—the federal government or the state of Florida—blurs the lines of accountability and oversight.—
Eric Schlosser,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
But Kennedy’s initiative conflates that genuine clinical need with claims unsupported by evidence — and some that are actively dangerous.—
Jonathan Slater,
STAT,
13 May 2026
-
Equating blanket surveillance with public safety conflates convenience with necessity.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuses. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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