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
Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Many states will continue business as usual, leaving people frustrated, confused and struggling to find clear answers.
—Suzanne Blake, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 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
At times, James also looked confused as to whether to push ahead or drop back and protect his defence, which contributed to Villa’s midfield dictating proceedings.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Many states will continue business as usual, leaving people frustrated, confused and struggling to find clear answers.
—Suzanne Blake, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 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
-
In recent weeks, there has been a lot of uncertainty about which star could win the women’s Elimination Chamber, but even with some messy booking muddying the women’s division, one outcome in Toronto makes the most sense.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Fox wore her blond tresses in a messy updo, courtesy of hairdresser John Novotny, while her makeup consisted of gray eye shadow, pink blush and a nude lip.—
Hannah Malach,
WWD,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
More than a year later, the campus remains in a state of bewildered unease.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
-
But for many bewildered observers, both explanations for Trump’s extraordinary pivot to the Kremlin seem equally misplaced.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Injuries, however, have disrupted Caruso’s plans.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Flights in late afternoon are more likely to be disrupted.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes,
4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
This fresh, modern reimagining of Ang Lee’s 1993 classic by Andrew Ahn follows a group of friends who need to get married for convenience—until family arrives, and the plan spirals into extravagant, chaotic mayhem.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Moreover, the chaotic layoff of federal workers will likely lead to a rise in unemployment and tightening of spending by those losing their jobs.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Three eyewitnesses spoke of coming upon a dazed Pino clinging to the hull of his overturned boat, Lucy’s body trapped underneath.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2025
-
After this, the responsibilities of playing Bush fell to Hammond and later Will Forte, who fit the character more into his own image of a silly little boy in a man’s body rather than re-enact Ferrell’s dazed and confused moron shtick.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The relationship quickly unearthed something that disturbed him.—
Joshua Kaplan,
ProPublica,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Plants with vining stems or long tap roots can be difficult to transplant and other plants simply don’t like to have their roots disturbed after planting.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Stop Scripting Development Employees need to grow into opportunities, not be shuffled into roles.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Analysts at Mizuho shuffled up its top picks in a note Monday.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
This is particularly important in distracted driving cases—showing data usage doesn't necessarily prove someone was actively using their phone.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Franco is simpering when he wasn’t distracted, and while Hathaway brings a bit of spirit, most of her lines are only half-funny.—
Bill Wyman,
Vulture,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confused. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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