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
Zero is gender-fluid, which inevitably leads to old man Mitts being cranky and confused on the subject.
—
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2025
When Greensburg had an opening for an assistant superintendent, John Hunter joked about applying just to confuse people.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
From afar, visitors sometimes confuse them for snow.
—Mike Belleme, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Also, this word et cetera at the end of the sentence confused me.
—EW.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2025
When Greensburg had an opening for an assistant superintendent, John Hunter joked about applying just to confuse people.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
From afar, visitors sometimes confuse them for snow.
—Mike Belleme, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Also, this word et cetera at the end of the sentence confused me.
—EW.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuse
Verb
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Babb acknowledged that the team was bewildered at the stunning turn of events.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
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They were bewildered for me, and so was all the other staff.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One is the long-running foreclosure of 57-75 Pratt St. involving Shelbourne has complicated the leasing of prominent, vacant storefronts in those buildings.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
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But Lijn’s mechanized drama is a resolutely feminist one, a face-off between two cyborgs who both conjure and complicate the archetypes of the nature goddess and the murderous woman.—
Marina Isgro,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
Verb
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What migrants mistake for a lighthouse offering safe haven may just be the mirage caused by the bollard keeping them out, period.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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But Sterling’s version could be mistaken for a pricier (and sturdier) fabric gown.—
Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 May 2025
Verb
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The following program will contain graphic stupidity, as four friends compete to embarrass one another – only this time in Lithuania.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
9 June 2025
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Races are sometimes won by runners making a move from the back of the pack, and L.A. could still find its stride, show some pride, and avoid embarrassing itself.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
Verb
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The earthquake disrupted the World Series and damaged the Bay Bridge, Oakland’s Cypress Freeway, and swaths of San Francisco.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
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The cuts will disrupt ongoing research, ruin experiments and datasets, destroy the careers of aspiring scientists, and deter long-term investments at universities across the country.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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There was one final thing that left St John perplexed.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
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The results achieved statistical significance in one part of the analysis but not in others, perplexing outside experts.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, running through June 15, has centered music-heavy programming with premieres from artists including Billy Joel, Miley Cyrus, Turnstile and Depeche Mode — further blurring the line between musicians’ stagewear and red carpet fashion.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
7 June 2025
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Airstream In place of common overhead cabinetry, Airstream further blurs the delineation between indoors and out with long, narrow upper windows above the primary window line.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 June 2025
Verb
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In any other circumstance, I would have been flustered, embarrassed, and ready to drag her out of there and straight into a time-out.—
Staff Author,
Parents,
5 May 2025
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Midway through Donald Trump‘s 100-day interview with ABC’s Terry Moran, the president got flustered.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuse. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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