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
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
Where the Roma obscured the line between a classic grand tourer and a sports car with supercar tendencies, the Amalfi confuses things further.
—Jonny Lieberman, Robb Report, 17 Jan. 2026
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
Where the Roma obscured the line between a classic grand tourer and a sports car with supercar tendencies, the Amalfi confuses things further.
—Jonny Lieberman, Robb Report, 17 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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First, Detroit has centers ahead of him in Larkin, Copp and potentially Kasper next season, with Nate Danielson on the way as well, which either complicates Compher’s path to high-lineup playing time or blocks one of the young players.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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But the ongoing fracturing of American politics, and especially the capricious and authoritarian-leaning tendencies of the current administration, complicates everything.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 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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Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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But the stunt goes south as Wooley turns out to be an unabashed bigot who embarrasses the show and gets scolded by the host.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Experts warn that the war in Iran and the resulting fuel shocks can strain funding and disrupts field operations, hindering global conservation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Dyslexia is a learning difference that disrupts how the brain processes written language.—
Ann Bullock,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 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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The doors are closed on the relationship, the focus blurs.—
Eva Wiseman,
Vogue,
7 May 2026
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Momentum stalls, focus blurs, energy dissipates, and frustration mounts.—
Stevo Pavićević,
Harvard Business Review,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Equating blanket surveillance with public safety conflates convenience with necessity.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
2 May 2026
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Some protesters have displayed antisemitic sentiment, and used language that conflates enmity toward Israel, Zionism and Jews themselves.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuses. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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