confused
adjective
con·fused
kən-ˈfyüzd 
1
a
: being perplexed or disconcerted
the confused students
b
: disoriented with regard to one's sense of time, place, or identity
The patient became confused.
2
: indistinguishable
a zigzag, crisscross, confused trail—
Harry Hervey
Harry Hervey3
: being disordered or mixed up
a contradictory and often confused story
Synonyms
Examples of confused in a Sentence
I've never been so confused.
We're confused about what to do next.
He gave a confused speech denying the accusations.
Recent Examples on the Web
South Africa’s support for the Palestinian cause is the culmination of a confused and increasingly troubling diplomatic trend for a country with whom the U.S. now questions its bilateral cooperation, critics have claimed.
—Peter Aitken, Fox News, 6 Apr. 2024
As Wiig continued to look confused, Gosling finally gave the actress her own Five-Timers jacket.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Apr. 2024
Travelers, especially from overseas, might become confused about the Oakland airport’s actual location or connection to the San Francisco airport, officials warn.
—Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
But some fans who received their physical copies were confused that tracks included on the digital release were missing, with four omitted from the CD and five from the LP.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 Mar. 2024
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell all looked confused after a miscue led to an easy Pacers layup.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
The audience looked stunned, and a little confused.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2024
The audience is very confused without protesters in that scene.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2024
Shark attacks happen when the animals are confused or curious.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
Peter Aitken, Fox News, 6 Apr. 2024
As Wiig continued to look confused, Gosling finally gave the actress her own Five-Timers jacket.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Apr. 2024
Travelers, especially from overseas, might become confused about the Oakland airport’s actual location or connection to the San Francisco airport, officials warn.
—Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
But some fans who received their physical copies were confused that tracks included on the digital release were missing, with four omitted from the CD and five from the LP.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 Mar. 2024
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell all looked confused after a miscue led to an easy Pacers layup.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
The audience looked stunned, and a little confused.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2024
The audience is very confused without protesters in that scene.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2024
Shark attacks happen when the animals are confused or curious.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'confused.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near confused
Cite this Entry
“Confused.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confused. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Medical Definition
confused
adjective
con·fused
kən-ˈfyüzd
: affected with mental confusion
More from Merriam-Webster on confused
Nglish: Translation of confused for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of confused for Arabic Speakers
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