Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

confusion

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of confusion

1 a state of mental uncertainty
  • The farmer's driving directions to the fairground just left us in total confusion.
Synonyms of confusion

bafflement, bamboozlement, befuddlement, bemusement, bewilderment, confusedness, discombobulation, distraction, fog, muddle, mystification, perplexity, puzzlement, tangle, whirl
Words Related to confusion

abashment, discomfiture, disconcertment, embarrassment, mortification

agitation, chagrin, discomfort, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturbance, perturbation, upset

bother, commotion, dither, flurry, fluster, fuss, stew, turmoil
Near Antonyms of confusion

assurance, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, positiveness, sureness
2 a state in which everything is out of order
  • It was hard to find anything in that confusion in the attic.
Synonyms of confusion

chaos, disarrangement, disarray, dishevelment, disorder, disorderedness, disorderliness, disorganization, free-for-all, havoc, heck, hell, jumble, mare's nest, mess, messiness, misorder, muddle, muss, shambles, tumble, welter
Words Related to confusion

anarchy, lawlessness, misrule, riot

knot, snarl, tangle

labyrinth, maze, web

maelstrom, storm

bollix, clutter, litter, mishmash, shuffle

hodgepodge, medley, miscellany, morass, motley
Near Antonyms of confusion

method, pattern, plan, system
Antonyms of confusion

order, orderliness
3 the emotional state of being made self-consciously uncomfortable
  • thrown into speechless confusion by the wild accusations
Synonyms of confusion

abashment, discomfiture, embarrassment, fluster, mortification
Words Related to confusion

agitation, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discomposure, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturbance, perturbation, unease, uneasiness, upset

disgrace, ignominy, shame

debasement, degradation, humiliation, mortification

humble pie
Phrases Synonymous with confusion

egg on one's face
Near Antonyms of confusion

aplomb, assurance, composure, confidence, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-assurance, self-confidence, self-possession

Learn More about confusion

  1. See words that rhyme with confusion Dictionary: Definition of confusion Medical Dictionary: Definition of confusion Spanish Central: Translation of confusion Nglish: Translation of confusion for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of confusion for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about confusion

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up confusion? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games