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
Reese Witherspoon’s real name even confuses her co-stars: ‘Oh, that’s right!’
'WORKING ON IT' - Jelly Roll says his felonies prevent him from booking gigs overseas.
—Fox News Staff, Fox News, 8 June 2024
Now, the existing remains have been analyzed for the first time, and the results of the testing have confused researchers.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 4 June 2024
How To Tell the Difference Between the Stomach Flu and Food Poisoning
The stomach flu and food poisoning are easy to confuse because the symptoms are almost identical.
—Stephanie Booth, Health, 2 June 2024
Exhausted, deprived of his medications and confused by the barrage from detectives who took turns berating him, Perez’s mental state began to deteriorate.
—Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for confuse 
Fox News Staff, Fox News, 8 June 2024
Now, the existing remains have been analyzed for the first time, and the results of the testing have confused researchers.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 4 June 2024
How To Tell the Difference Between the Stomach Flu and Food Poisoning
The stomach flu and food poisoning are easy to confuse because the symptoms are almost identical.
—Stephanie Booth, Health, 2 June 2024
Exhausted, deprived of his medications and confused by the barrage from detectives who took turns berating him, Perez’s mental state began to deteriorate.
—Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 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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Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confuse. Accessed 12 Jun. 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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