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
Nobody ever confuses two white NASCAR drivers!
—
Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 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
An actress in 1962 Cuban, as its missiles crisis rages, confuses her role in a film and real life.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
Seeking safety Above-target inflation and a sluggish labor market also confuses the picture for investors.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
If the concept confuses, check out their podcast.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2026
No one confuses kilowatt-hours with productivity, yet no serious economy flies blind without tracking them.
—Noosheen Hashemi, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 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
An actress in 1962 Cuban, as its missiles crisis rages, confuses her role in a film and real life.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
Seeking safety Above-target inflation and a sluggish labor market also confuses the picture for investors.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
If the concept confuses, check out their podcast.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2026
No one confuses kilowatt-hours with productivity, yet no serious economy flies blind without tracking them.
—Noosheen Hashemi, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuses
Verb
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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
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What further complicates the picture is a seemingly relentless appetite for trading, which directly benefits a small corner of the financial sector.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
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All this complicates a tug toward pure nostalgia.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
Verb
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When Ava interrupts to bring Deborah her cell phone, Kelly mistakes Ava for Deborah’s girlfriend and has a new understanding of her foe.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
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The Suns didn’t help themselves with 19 turnovers, mistakes Oklahoma City turned into 34 points.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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Wildlife relies on predictable patterns of darkness and light for migration, breeding and hunting, and artificial light disrupts those cycles.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 May 2026
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Residents say another invasive plant, Eichhornia crassipes, which floats on the water’s surface, has long been present in the lagoon and also disrupts fishing and transport, though its impact has been less sudden.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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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
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The designs were puckish and gender-bending, evoking both awe and repulsion—the sort of clothing that titillates lovers of conceptual fashion and bewilders the uninitiated.—
Ana Karina Zatarain,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Open-source blurs the line between engineering and creative work.—
Kshitij Dixit,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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What began as a documentary about the criminal underworld evolved into a fictional – and disturbing – portrait that blurs the line between reality and imagination.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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 19 May. 2026.
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