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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confused
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
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
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
-
That will mean messy debates over taxes, benefits programs, the debt ceiling and other big-ticket items.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Grey's Anatomy may have hit its 20th anniversary last month, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for one more medical drama (with messy romances) — and Netflix wants in.—
Rebecca Aizin,
People.com,
4 Apr. 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
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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
-
Social Security problems The chaotic situation around DOGE has raised concerns that federal programs such as Social Security that many Americans rely on could be impacted.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Carter arrives as a fumbling, awkward, lovable med student—the audience surrogate in the chaotic and intense environment of a fictional Chicago emergency ward.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
28 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
-
The relationship quickly unearthed something that disturbed him.—
Joshua Kaplan,
ProPublica,
4 Jan. 2025
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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
-
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
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That's changed as more parents fear the morning rush of traffic and distracted drivers.—
Linh Ta,
Axios,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confused. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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