1
as in difficult
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
2
as in perplexing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in baffling
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 complicating
to make (something) unclear to the understanding
stop confusing the issue with irrelevant facts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mistaking
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 embarrassing
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 disrupting
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of confusing
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
If the experience feels confusing or unreliable, employees may under-contribute or disengage altogether.
—
Dave Etling,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Even when words had a short /u/ vowel, spellings like wulf, wud and wunder would have been too confusing in the era of manuscript writing, what with its rows of upright quill strokes.
—
Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
Laptop shopping can be a confusing hassle.
—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
25 June 2026
However, money issues might be confusing!
—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 June 2026
Surveillance video showed the confusing scene.
—
Brittany Wallman,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2026
For people who don’t know the courtesy; new residents, visitors, or anyone simply following the rules in the driver’s manual, a sudden Pittsburgh left can be confusing and dangerous, especially if a third driver or a pedestrian isn’t expecting that quick turn.
—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Advocates said parents often do not understand the legal limitations of the electric dirt bike their child asked for or how to interpret confusing labeling from manufacturers.
—
Sacbee.com,
22 June 2026
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Having said that, conversations might be confusing today.
—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 June 2026
The through line is confusing fragrance intensity with cleanliness.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 June 2026
The palace mixed up a father and son with the snafu, confusing James, Earl of Wessex, for his father, Prince Edward.
—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Banken used inflated home prices, confusing paperwork and six-figure balloon payments due at the end of short contracts to push buyers into default and to ultimately retain ownership of the property, the attorney general’s lawsuit said.
—
Andy Mannix,
ProPublica,
23 June 2026
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s investigation of the alternative medicine industry uncovered a pattern of practitioners across Georgia pushing legal limits on what they’re allowed to do and presenting confusing information about their credentials.
—
Carrie Teegardin,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
Zwirner also cautioned against confusing a decline in auction sales of young and contemporary artists with a waning interest in them.
—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
16 June 2026
That version of the film runs seven minutes longer than the theatrical release and restores the film's original opening scene — a cinematic boat race — which clarifies plot beats that were confusing in the theatrical version.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Adjective
Messaging about what’s in the air has been confusing.
—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
If the experience feels confusing or unreliable, employees may under-contribute or disengage altogether.
—
Dave Etling,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Even when words had a short /u/ vowel, spellings like wulf, wud and wunder would have been too confusing in the era of manuscript writing, what with its rows of upright quill strokes.
—
Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
Laptop shopping can be a confusing hassle.
—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
25 June 2026
However, money issues might be confusing!
—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 June 2026
Surveillance video showed the confusing scene.
—
Brittany Wallman,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2026
For people who don’t know the courtesy; new residents, visitors, or anyone simply following the rules in the driver’s manual, a sudden Pittsburgh left can be confusing and dangerous, especially if a third driver or a pedestrian isn’t expecting that quick turn.
—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Advocates said parents often do not understand the legal limitations of the electric dirt bike their child asked for or how to interpret confusing labeling from manufacturers.
—
Sacbee.com,
22 June 2026
Verb
Why People Misunderstand This Intelligence The first mistake people make is confusing integrative intelligence with being broadly knowledgeable.
—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Having said that, conversations might be confusing today.
—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 June 2026
The through line is confusing fragrance intensity with cleanliness.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 June 2026
The palace mixed up a father and son with the snafu, confusing James, Earl of Wessex, for his father, Prince Edward.
—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Banken used inflated home prices, confusing paperwork and six-figure balloon payments due at the end of short contracts to push buyers into default and to ultimately retain ownership of the property, the attorney general’s lawsuit said.
—
Andy Mannix,
ProPublica,
23 June 2026
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s investigation of the alternative medicine industry uncovered a pattern of practitioners across Georgia pushing legal limits on what they’re allowed to do and presenting confusing information about their credentials.
—
Carrie Teegardin,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
Zwirner also cautioned against confusing a decline in auction sales of young and contemporary artists with a waning interest in them.
—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
16 June 2026
That version of the film runs seven minutes longer than the theatrical release and restores the film's original opening scene — a cinematic boat race — which clarifies plot beats that were confusing in the theatrical version.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confusing
Adjective
-
Some organizers say America's complicated and at times difficult history is being glossed over by fireworks and flag-waving ‒ or that it's being politicized by an administration that has actively worked to advance its version of history.
-
The move gives Marte another chance to work his way back to the major leagues after a difficult stretch that included a brief stop with the Cincinnati Reds organization earlier this year before a cut.
Adjective
-
The sentencing capped an extraordinary investigation that solved one of New York’s most perplexing mysteries.
-
The charming little burg is plagued by a perplexing dead body problem.
Verb
-
The Illinois numbers, especially this year’s, are baffling experts.
-
For more than four minutes Darnold drove downfield, connecting on three of four passes, baffling the pass rushers, bleeding the clock, and by the time the Seahawks finally gave the ball back, the Rams had only 25 seconds to live.
Verb
-
But the extreme conditions are undoubtedly a complicating factor.
-
But the relentless focus on development — and data centers and artificial intelligence in particular — are complicating things for Shapiro, who is seeking a second term as governor in 2026 and is frequently mentioned as a presidential candidate in 2028.
Verb
-
The headlines keep mistaking absorption for replacement.
-
The cultural mistake is mistaking exposure and awareness for outcome.
Verb
-
The moms aren’t embarrassing their kids.
-
Several other policy changes led to blowback from the public and Starmer was forced to make a series of embarrassing U-turns that provided political capital for opponents and fed beliefs that the prime minister didn’t stand for much.
Verb
-
The shadow fleet, aging tankers and cargo ships that break US sanctions and sabotage subsea cables with impunity, are increasingly disrupting global trade and data flows.
-
Britain, Italy and Spain were also sweltering in extreme heat, with record temperatures in some regions disrupting schools and transport networks.
Adjective
-
One of the troublesome sounds for writers was /w/.
-
Above-ground tree roots can be just as troublesome and require special attention.
Cite this Entry
“Confusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confusing. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
