1
as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
the cans were lying in a confused jumble in the basement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bewildered
suffering from mental confusion
she was briefly confused after her fall from the horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in puzzled
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the similar-sounding words "censure" and "censor" often confuse people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complicated
to make (something) unclear to the understanding
stop confusing the issue with irrelevant facts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mistook
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 embarrassed
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 disrupted
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 confused
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 18 July 2025
People 60 years and older and with certain medical conditions are at a higher risk for serious illness, and anyone who develops a severe headache or becomes confused should see their health care provider.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 17 July 2025
Nicholas Rice, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, the state’s agriculture department, which had been routinely testing Raw Farm milk products kept getting negative results — leaving infectious disease experts confused.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for confused
Adjective
Another version of the same events imagines that Lukas has died, and has left some kind of confused legacy to his surviving family.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 18 July 2025
People 60 years and older and with certain medical conditions are at a higher risk for serious illness, and anyone who develops a severe headache or becomes confused should see their health care provider.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 17 July 2025
Verb
However, the Madea star said his science teacher then asked him about dissecting the animal, which confused a young Perry.
—Nicholas Rice, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, the state’s agriculture department, which had been routinely testing Raw Farm milk products kept getting negative results — leaving infectious disease experts confused.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for confused
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confused
Adjective
-
Doing the work of changing AI systems to respond to the White House executive order will be messy, said technologist Sahota, because where lines are drawn, and why, can initiate all sorts of political and cultural firestorms.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
23 July 2025
-
Forgo your usual sleek blow dry in summertime for a breezy, messy bun.—
Ranyechi Udemezue,
Vogue,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
This run – and the exhausted, bewildered looks on the players’ faces throughout it – has no doubt shaped Inter’s odds to win away to Barcelona, which look pretty close to long shot territory.—
Sam Tighe,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
-
In the two years since Tommy Elliott was killed in a mass shooting, Maryanne’s grief has, in turns, left her aghast and overwhelmed, bewildered and incapacitated, grateful and wanting to die.—
Kristina Goetz,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Behind the scenes there was no doubt other dreams were dashed and processes disrupted.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
After a season disrupted by injuries and fewer starts, the writing was on the wall.—
Julia Ranney,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His lifestyle became chaotic and dangerous, riddled with violence and crime.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
-
Things got a little chaotic and dangerous when a rogue wheel momentarily became the star of a monster truck show.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
At some point, Kevin, dazed but not incapacitated, got on the line with a dispatcher.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 July 2025
-
In footage shared by local media, he was seen bloodied, dazed and clutching his mobile phone.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
These five destinations show that sharing the shore with animals can be calm, safe and memorable for the right reasons when animals aren’t fed or disturbed.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Even the guards appeared to be disturbed.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Analysts at Mizuho shuffled up its top picks in a note Monday.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Stop Scripting Development Employees need to grow into opportunities, not be shuffled into roles.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Serious traffic crashes and deaths have risen sharply across the U.S., largely due to distracted driving.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
10 July 2025
-
At the time, Twitter’s ad business was in trouble—and Tesla shareholders worried Musk was too distracted from his supposed main gig, running the automaker.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confused. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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