1
as in to bewilder
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 to complicate
to make (something) unclear to the understanding
stop confusing the issue with irrelevant facts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in to embarrass
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 to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
vandals had hopelessly confused the papers in the office files
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
1
as in difficult
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in perplexing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of confusing
Darin Detwiler, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
The script is very confusing to read, cutting back and forth between the dream world and reality.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Windows of the East Wing looked out over the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, not to be confused with the Rose Garden.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
Brewers center fielder Sal Frelick jumped and got a glove on it but the ball caromed off his glove and the top of the wall, bouncing back into the field of play – where Frelick caught it, thoroughly confusing the three Dodger baserunners.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confusing
Verb
At the same time, unclear preparation guidance leaves risk at the last mile; confusing or incomplete cooking instructions can cause consumers to underheat products, assuming freezing alone makes food safe.
—Darin Detwiler, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
The script is very confusing to read, cutting back and forth between the dream world and reality.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
This was out of respect for me, and also to avoid confusing the children.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Windows of the East Wing looked out over the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, not to be confused with the Rose Garden.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The British and American versions also have different plot points, further confusing the matter, but the score has endured and developed a cult-following.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
Brewers center fielder Sal Frelick jumped and got a glove on it but the ball caromed off his glove and the top of the wall, bouncing back into the field of play – where Frelick caught it, thoroughly confusing the three Dodger baserunners.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confusing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confusing
Adjective
-
These events encourage community members to dispose of hazardous materials like gasoline, oil, chemicals, and more, which can be difficult to dispose of and pose a safety risk if not handled correctly.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Don't Look Now manipulates audiences' minds, mixing elements of the occult with the overwhelming need for hope into a plot twist audiences will find difficult to swallow.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In a whirlwind year for the organization, his slump was one of the more perplexing developments.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Yet the latest season has had a perplexing schedule.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The problem of teacher vacancies at MPS — a nationwide issue as fewer graduates enter the profession — has been pervasive and troublesome.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Even thought Waller was back in the NFL, on-the-field success didn’t quiet Waller’s troublesome inner voice.—
Omar Kelly
Updated October 17,
Miami Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This is not just baffling but really inexcusable.—
Marsha Sutton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Making his lack of usage even more baffling, the Bills signed Cook on a four-year, $48 million contract extension before the start of the 2025 season.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Considering that Rebecca and Noah’s mom, Bina (Tovah Feldshuh), came off as equally unpleasant, Foster, Konner, and Kaplan kind of had to retool the character.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Despite being so unpleasant, hemorrhoid complications are surprisingly common.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The second flare is even more puzzling.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Staffers spent the weekend trading calls and texts, trying to piece together who had been axed, who had been spared, and, most puzzling, why.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Even underground facilities are usually impossible to build in these places, because the construction sites get targeted.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Each junction behaves slightly differently, forming a complex 3D network that is impossible to exactly replicate.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
What is the most confounding and terrible, however, is Gretchen’s assertion that Slade, the anti-Viagra, doesn’t get involved with the women on his own accord, but only engages because the women always talk about him.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The offense’s struggles are the most confounding.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confusing. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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