1
as in fog
a state of mental uncertainty
the farmer's driving directions to the fairground just left us in total confusion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in havoc
a state in which everything is out of order
it was hard to find anything in that confusion in the attic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in embarrassment
the emotional state of being made self-consciously uncomfortable
thrown into speechless confusion by the wild accusations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confusion
The federal government shut down Wednesday, delaying pay for federal workers (of whom there are 25,000 in Indiana), placing question marks on the financial health of federal aid programs like SNAP and WIC, and causing mass confusion and limbo in immigration court.
—
Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
In the end, confusion around virtual particles may be just the price of understanding fundamental forces.
—Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Following on from moves announced last week, removing the QFI program signals that Saudi Arabia is getting serious about taking steps to attract foreign cash, even if the latest announcement sparked some confusion.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Haney said there is confusion among housing providers and local governments about whether state funding can be used for drug-free housing.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confusion
Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
In the end, confusion around virtual particles may be just the price of understanding fundamental forces.
—Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Following on from moves announced last week, removing the QFI program signals that Saudi Arabia is getting serious about taking steps to attract foreign cash, even if the latest announcement sparked some confusion.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Haney said there is confusion among housing providers and local governments about whether state funding can be used for drug-free housing.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confusion
Noun
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In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Oct. 2025
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Scientists in Austria and France have developed a new imaging method that can reveal objects hidden behind opaque materials such as sand, fog, or even human tissue, potentially opening new frontiers in medical diagnostics and sensing technologies.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Jilly will undoubtedly be best remembered for her chart-topping series The Rutshire Chronicles and its havoc-making and handsome show-jumping hero Rupert Campbell-Black.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
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In total, Elanga provided five first-half crosses and, while only Gordon’s counted as ‘completed’, that does a disservice to the havoc the Sweden international caused.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There are more costs — to say nothing of further public embarrassment — to consider.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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During reunion weekend, former editors and writers also like to see their youthful work through a lens of nostalgia, (sometimes) embarrassment, and joy.—
Joshua Finnell,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Millions of miles of flying feels like an adequate amount of time to observe travelers struggle with bulky items, search endlessly for a gadget in a tangle of monochromatic accessories, and look longingly at their seatmate who seems to have it all together.—
Carin Ryan,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
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Whether the Northen Sea Route catches on depends on a tangle of factors.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Roll with the chaos as the moon and Uranus clash.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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In other words, Steve is a lot to play, and the Oscar-winner throws himself into every forlorn expression, every kindly mentoring session, every manic bit of rushing to and fro as chaos reigns around him, every stumbling step toward self-medicating into oblivion.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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News of the deaths ricocheted through the prison system, spreading fear and unease.—
Jennifer Gonnerman,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
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The university acknowledged receiving messages expressing unease about the event, which was organized by the campus's chapter.—
Michael Ruiz , Stepheny Price , Preston Mizell,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Ray’s most chaotic photograms—jumbles that push out of the frame or look like time bombs ready to explode—find echoes in his films, projected on the back walls, a show in themselves.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
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In jumbles of old stones that, to me, are barely legible as the remains of buildings, Cocon López could see the entire timeline of old Aké and how later people interacted with and repurposed what came before.—
Lizzie Wade,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Overuse of Pain Medication While many people reach for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) to ease discomfort from vaccine side effects, such as a sore arm.—
Ashley Wong,
Health,
8 Oct. 2025
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Just remember that eating chia seeds dry can be a choking hazard and cause gastrointestinal discomfort.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confusion. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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