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
What To Know Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, argues that modest upfront payments could reignite engagement among borrowers who have become disillusioned or confused by fluctuating federal policy.
—
Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
With a Department of Food, inspectors would be able to oversee all food types, from burgers to veggie patties, without confusing jurisdictional overlap.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2025
Adam DeVine was told to 'stick to the script' on Modern Family after confusing Sofia Vergara with improv
DeVine detailed his childhood accident to Entertainment Weekly in 2016.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
The Dodgers are on Spectrum SportsNet LA, which is not to be confused with Spectrum SportsNet, which carries the Lakers.
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
With a Department of Food, inspectors would be able to oversee all food types, from burgers to veggie patties, without confusing jurisdictional overlap.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2025
Adam DeVine was told to 'stick to the script' on Modern Family after confusing Sofia Vergara with improv
DeVine detailed his childhood accident to Entertainment Weekly in 2016.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
The Dodgers are on Spectrum SportsNet LA, which is not to be confused with Spectrum SportsNet, which carries the Lakers.
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuse
Verb
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This match exposed a couple of ugly issues the tour has to address and left spectators bewildered for long stretches at a time.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
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While some stars dazzle in their glamorous attire, others have stumbled into the realm of fashion faux pas, leaving audiences bewildered.—
WWD Staff,
WWD,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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That Rocked Myanmar and Thailand But recovery efforts—including understanding the full extent of the damage and getting aid to where it’s needed most—are complicated by Myanmar’s ongoing civil war.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
3 Apr. 2025
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Data privacy and security issues further complicate this landscape, again pointing to the need for robust safeguards to prevent misuse.—
Melody Brue,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Because of their flatness, the footprints had previously been mistaken for fish resting burrows.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2025
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Others mistake the intensity of the honeymoon phase for long-term compatibility.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Mariah Carey just pulled a classic mom move by embarrassing her teenage son in front of his friends.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
5 Apr. 2025
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The leaking was intended to embarrass Bork, whose nomination was ultimately rejected by the U.S. Senate albeit for reasons unrelated to his rental list.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This decision by the Russian Federation will undoubtedly endanger lives and disrupt critical HIV prevention efforts for ordinary Russian citizens.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
10 Apr. 2025
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Behind the scenes there was no doubt other dreams were dashed and processes disrupted.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And some Democrats are still perplexed by the fact that last November Donald Trump became the first Republican since maybe Abraham Lincoln to carry Fall River.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2025
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Some were perplexed by its location, while others were enchanted by the simplistic nature of a home from a time long gone.—
TJ Macias,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Though rooted in self-love, these trends can blur the line between care and consumerism.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
26 Mar. 2025
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On the other hand, holding a company liable for one person’s speech blurs the line between individual and collective responsibility.—
Kwame Anthony Appiah,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Jimmy Kimmel flustered guest Pedro Pascal with a suggestive question about Reed Richards' stretchable body parts on Monday's episode of his late-night show.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
25 Mar. 2025
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DePaul Prep rallied, though, flustering the Crusaders with a full-court press.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuse. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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