confuse 1 of 3

1
2
3
as in to mistake
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
5

confusing

2 of 3

adjective

confusing

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of confuse
1
2
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
5

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 confuse
Verb
Handed a glass of Big Salt, I was confused upon experiencing the aromatics. Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 It's confused by humans and wants to get away from them. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Biden confused Iraq with Ukraine, with a former aide correcting him, and later dropped an ice cream bar. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025 Janine is confused by his discomfort at first, but encourages Gregory to talk it out with Martin. Selome Hailu, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuse
Adjective
  • The transition can be extremely difficult for some.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The longer-term outlook for Apple looks increasingly difficult to navigate, according to Bank of America.
    Brian Evans, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Dodgers’ offense is more talented than the last 10 days have indicated, which makes this stretch all the more perplexing.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Their silence is a bit perplexing, given that many of them claim to be focused on current events and trending topics.
    Christian Paz, Vox, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Algorithms are nothing new for dating apps, but reducing the human element in communications seems a little troublesome.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
  • María Paz Peñaloza Cabrera, 31, went to the doctor’s Astoria home March 28 to get troublesome butt implants removed, authorities say.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The baffling sight of the car inside the hangar came amid a larger expedition led by a team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In contrast with the often thoughtful use of space, the production is marred by a baffling design choice.
    Christian Lewis, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Doing so consumes water, requires the use of often eco-unfriendly cleansers, and adds an unpleasant task to janitors' daily duties.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2025
  • But that’s another unpleasant truth that is best left unspoken.
    The Editors, National Review, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Even more puzzling was the late move to bring in striker Odsonne Edouard from Crystal Palace to take up the second and last available Premier League loan, paying a large proportion of his considerable wages to boot.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • What may be more puzzling is how to stop the white-ball team from crashing and burning.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And after dark, the dealers were impossible to miss: short young men in hoodies and women in pajama pants, slinking around corners with side packs.
    Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
  • As is often the problem with biopics of all kinds — jukebox musical or not — the sheer scope of a life is impossible to capture in a mere 2 hour runtime.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The offerings vary greatly, the rugged but versatile two-door Defender 90 to the unwieldy three-row, eight-passenger Defender 130.
    James Raia, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • During their initial run from 1975 to 1982, Pere Ubu were an untamable band, merging the loose energy of garage rock with 1960s rock, as well as funk bass, unwieldy saxophones, and Thomas’ commanding presence.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuse. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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