1
as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the similar-sounding words "censure" and "censor" often confuse people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to complicate
to make (something) unclear to the understanding
stop confusing the issue with irrelevant facts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to mistake
to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related
a lot of people confuse popular fame with enduring achievement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
she was confused by the shocking bluntness of his marriage proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
vandals had hopelessly confused the papers in the office files
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confuse
And like so many other SNAP recipients — and pantry owners, as well as the politicians writing the bill — Natasha McClendon was confused.
—
Sophie Levenson, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
With this revelation, fans are confused as to why Ave and Cole would stage such a thing.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 17 July 2025
Sparrow should not be confused with Krypto, Superman’s four-legged companion in the film.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 16 July 2025
Amazon $650 Samsung $650 Best Buy Not to be confused with the Galaxy S24 series, this midrange smartphone from late 2024 has some elements of the flagship phone, but makes some sacrifices to get the price down.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Sophie Levenson, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
With this revelation, fans are confused as to why Ave and Cole would stage such a thing.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 17 July 2025
Sparrow should not be confused with Krypto, Superman’s four-legged companion in the film.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 16 July 2025
Amazon $650 Samsung $650 Best Buy Not to be confused with the Galaxy S24 series, this midrange smartphone from late 2024 has some elements of the flagship phone, but makes some sacrifices to get the price down.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuse
Verb
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Still, my friends and I, specifically those who were teen-agers or older at the time of 9/11, have been bewildered by the Islamophobia of the moment, which feels especially vintage and plainspoken, not massaged into obfuscatory rhetoric or angling for any greater point.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
13 July 2025
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In the moment, Kyle looked bewildered that the musician had singled him out, smiling with his mouth open in shock.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Politicians often trap themselves in narratives during campaigns that go on to complicate their efforts to govern.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
17 July 2025
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China imposes restrictions on EV technology exports China imposed new restrictions on the export of electric-vehicle technology, a move that will complicate efforts by Chinese battery makers to open factories in the US and Europe.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
17 July 2025
Verb
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Rocking chairs line patios that overlook an 8.5 acre retention pond big enough to be mistaken for a lake, one of the only visual clues that this is the South, not south of San Francisco.—
Brandon Kochkodin,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
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Nevada’s chukar season was still open, and hunters’ tracks were mistaken for Dallas’.—
Jim Zumbo,
Outdoor Life,
17 July 2025
Verb
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Manager Luis Enrique's side then embarrassed Inter Miami 4-0 in the round of 16 and survived two late red cards vs. Bayern Munich to win that quarterfinal battle 2-0. PSG vs. Real Madrid Injury, Suspension, Lineup News: Both teams will be missing key pieces along their back lines today.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
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The Nuggets, like the current Rockies, were embarrassing themselves regularly before posting an 11-71 record.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Underneath the fun exterior, Red Bull was serious about its ambitions of disrupting F1’s front-runners and assembling a team that was capable of winning a championship.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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Frequent use can disrupt normal bowel function and lead to laxative dependence or chronic constipation.7 Only use castor oil under medical guidance.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
11 July 2025
Verb
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At the time, I was perplexed and questioned if this was necessary.—
Susan Horava,
Health,
24 June 2025
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Ultimately, the remaining Islanders dumped Jeremiah and Hannah, a controversial move that left viewers at home perplexed as to why this decision was made.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Tweaked as recently as 1992, the house deliberately blurs boundaries between interior and exterior, public and private, finished and unfinished.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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AirPods blur the line between presence and absence, reducing opportunities for mindfulness.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Siegemund, 37, plays an unorthodox style of tennis that can leave opponents flustered.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
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Golden State forced Clark into deep 3-point jumpers and flustered the visiting team with tenacious defense in the paint.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuse. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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