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confused

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verb

past tense of confuse
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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of confused
Adjective
Hiring has slowed as there are fewer employees to get new workers up to speed and people are confused about which job titles can be hired. Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 7 Apr. 2025 And while Stitch stands over her protectively, looking confused but not trying to wake her, tiny Taco has a different approach. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 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
  • Juggling everything can get tricky — and sometimes messy.
    Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2025
  • But, for better and for worse, that is how architecture is made today — not by singular geniuses demanding their way, but by clients and professionals working in messy collaboration.
    Matt Shaw, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • But the on-again, off-again nature of the process has resulted in a bewildered industry that has adopted a wait and see approach to investment decisions and supply chain alterations.
    Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Old Trafford was where distraught, bewildered fans felt physically compelled to go to express their grief.
    Michael Walker, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • After a season disrupted by injuries and fewer starts, the writing was on the wall.
    Julia Ranney, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Behind the scenes there was no doubt other dreams were dashed and processes disrupted.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But one wild, dare-we-say chaotic month can change things, and the Pirates wouldn’t mind following Detroit’s blueprint.
    Tim Britton, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
  • The latter are chaotic galaxies that lack a distinct shape, and are low in elements heavier than hydrogen and helium — akin to galaxies from the early universe.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Case in point: his goal for Portugal Under-17s against Morocco in September 2023, a ludicrous solo effort that left a trail of dazed defenders scratching their heads and wondering what the hell had just happened.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Sea lions and dolphins have been observed rigid with seizures, acting dazed and confused.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Even the guards appeared to be disturbed.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • 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
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
  • The distracted driver hit two cars, both heading west, after reportedly going left of center, OSHP's Chardon Post Trooper William Head confirmed, per the outlet.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • That's changed as more parents fear the morning rush of traffic and distracted drivers.
    Linh Ta, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Confused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confused. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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