confused; confusing
1
: to disturb in mind or purpose : throw off
The directions she gave confused us.
2
a
: to make indistinct : blur
Stop confusing the issue.
b
: to fail to differentiate from an often similar or related other
confuse money with comfort
Do not confuse the words "flaunt" and "flout."
c
: to mix indiscriminately : jumble
Their arms, legs, and bodies were confused together, till they resembled … two serpents interlaced.—
Thomas Medwin
Thomas Medwin3
: to make embarrassed : abash
4
archaic
: to bring to ruin
Synonyms
Examples of confuse in a Sentence
The general was trying to confuse the enemy.
The new evidence only confused matters further.
You must be confusing me with someone else.
Recent Examples on the Web
Occasionally, Roberts is even confused as a campaign volunteer instead of Ocasio-Cortez's partner.
—Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 3 July 2024
The availability and legal status of these products can confuse consumers, especially in states where traditional THC is off-limits.
—Joshua Adragna, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2024
California Republicans took aim at a last-minute effort by Democratic lawmakers in the state to add their own ballot measure combating retail theft, which GOP lawmakers said is intended to confuse voters.
—Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 July 2024
The disorder is underdiagnosed, partly because symptoms can be confused with other personality disorders and partly because most narcissists aren’t rushing into therapy.
—Abby Ellin, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for confuse 
Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 3 July 2024
The availability and legal status of these products can confuse consumers, especially in states where traditional THC is off-limits.
—Joshua Adragna, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2024
California Republicans took aim at a last-minute effort by Democratic lawmakers in the state to add their own ballot measure combating retail theft, which GOP lawmakers said is intended to confuse voters.
—Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 July 2024
The disorder is underdiagnosed, partly because symptoms can be confused with other personality disorders and partly because most narcissists aren’t rushing into therapy.
—Abby Ellin, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for confuse
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'confuse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near confuse
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confuse. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
confuse
verb
con·fuse
kən-ˈfyüz 
confused; confusing
1
a
: to make mentally foggy or uncertain : perplex
the complicated problem confused us
b
: to cause to be embarrassed or upset
2
: to make unclear : blur
stop confusing the issue
3
: to make disordered : jumble
the cords were all confused together
4
: to fail to tell apart
teachers always confused the twins
confusedly
adverb
-ˈfyüz(-ə)d-lē
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