disorient

verb

(ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-ē-ˌent How to pronounce disorient (audio)
Definition of disorientnext
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty troops disoriented by the sudden change in battle plans

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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 disorient Moore said older patients can become disoriented and delirious after long periods in the ER, raising the risk of falls. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026 The diver was gasping for air and appeared disoriented but was not injured, Local 10 reported. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026 The diver was gasping for air, appeared disoriented and didn’t understand what had happened, witnesses told deputies. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 According to Environmental Health Sciences, light pollution can hinder migration patterns, reproduction, and feeding habits, as well as confuse and disorient a wide array of species. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disorient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disorient
  1. confuse
  2. bewilder
  3. perplex
  4. baffle
  5. puzzle
Verb
  • This reserve should not be confused with a permanent investment strategy.
    — Steve Booren, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The light entering my eyes would bend at two different angles, confusing my brain and making my vision a little blurry.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • That’s a common sentiment from a touring superstar, but there’s a sense that Kahan really might be as happily bewildered as the rest of us about how songs this personal and cloudy came to captivate even sunny California.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The threats are constantly evolving, layering upon themselves with bewildering speed.
    — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of bewilder
Verb
  • Gibson Nash, 21, was charged with first-degree murder after a series of perplexing events eventually led police to his mother’s bloodied body.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The Brazil midfielder has expressed a desire to join Arsenal, but Newcastle did not want to sell him this summer and have been perplexed by the lack of direct contact from the London club.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of perplex
Verb
  • The scene never fails to baffle the senses as the path rises up about a thousand feet from the valley floor.
    — Kalpana Mohan, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • She is baffled by the way her friends Moe and Fumina rail against their parents, especially when Yuko is always holding back at home, forever walking on eggshells.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of baffle
Verb
  • In practice, puzzling choices by curators Klaus Biesenbach and Maike Steinkamp rendered the experiment fraught in places.
    — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Three bears were taken, and, in keeping with the southern tradition of bear hunting, Roosevelt’s hosts were a bit puzzled by the president’s disappointment.
    — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of puzzle

Browse Nearby Words

disorganizing
disorient
disoriented
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Cite this Entry

“Disorient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disorient. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disorient

Nglish: Translation of disorient for Spanish Speakers

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