disorient
verb
dis·ori·ent
(ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-ē-ˌent 
disoriented; disorienting; disorients
1
a
: to cause to lose bearings : displace from normal position or relationship
b
: to cause to lose the sense of time, place, or identity
2
: confuse
Synonyms
Examples of disorient in a Sentence
Thick fog can disorient even an experienced hiker.
troops disoriented by the sudden change in battle plans
Recent Examples on the Web
Going in through one of seven 500-year-old gates by yourself is to become instantly disoriented.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 9 July 2024
Hikers die due to heat in Greece Nearly a dozen tourists have died this year after going on hikes in Greece — a trend that the country’s authorities have attributed to the disorienting effects of heat.
—Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2024
These animals can become stranded if they are disoriented, which can be caused by underwater noise pollution, NOAA says.
—Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 1 July 2024
As jarring and disorienting as that can feel, just know that the cards say things are happening as they are supposed to.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for disorient 
David Faris, Newsweek, 9 July 2024
Hikers die due to heat in Greece Nearly a dozen tourists have died this year after going on hikes in Greece — a trend that the country’s authorities have attributed to the disorienting effects of heat.
—Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2024
These animals can become stranded if they are disoriented, which can be caused by underwater noise pollution, NOAA says.
—Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 1 July 2024
As jarring and disorienting as that can feel, just know that the cards say things are happening as they are supposed to.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for disorient
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disorient.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near disorient
Cite this Entry
“Disorient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorient. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
disorient
verb
dis·ori·ent
(ˈ)dis-ˈōr-ē-ˌent
-ˈȯr-
: to cause to be confused or lost
Medical Definition
disorient
transitive verb
dis·ori·ent
(ˈ)dis-ˈōr-ē-ˌent, -ˈȯr-
: to produce a state of disorientation in : disorientate
the next day the patient was disoriented but not comatose—The Journal of the American Medical Association
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