confuse Hear it!

confuse Definition

con·fuse (kən fyo̵̅o̅z′)

transitive verb -·fused′, -·fus′·ing

  1. to mix up; jumble together; put into disorder
  2. to mix up mentally; specif.,
    1. to bewilder; perplex
    2. to embarrass; disconcert; abash
    3. to fail to distinguish between; mistake the identity of

Etymology: ME confusen < confus, perplexed < OFr < L confusus, pp. of confundere: see confound

confuse Related Forms
con·fus′·edly (-fyo̵̅o̅z′id lē) adverb con·fus′·ed·ness noun con·fus′·ing adjective con·fus′·ingly adverb
confuse Synonyms

confuse

v.

puzzle, perplex, bewilder, confound, nonplus, disconcert, abash, fluster, discompose, flurry, dumbfound, upset, befuddle, baffle, mislead, misinform, embarrass, daze, astonish, disarrange, disorder, jumble, mix up, garble, scramble, blend, mix, mingle, cloud, becloud, fog, stir up, agitate, bedevil, worry, trouble, snarl, unsettle, disorient, muddle, clutter, darken, addle, discomfit, fuddle, complicate, involve, rattle, unhinge, derange, frustrate, perturb, dismay, faze, distract, entangle, encumber, befog, obscure, obfuscate, mystify, lead astray, addle the wits, embroil, render uncertain, make a hash of*, make a mess of*, throw off*, throw off the scent*, foul up*, ball up*, cross up*, put at a loss*, stump*, make one's head swim*, flummox*, throw*, discombobulate*; see also disturb 2, hide 1, tangle.

Antonyms clear*, clarify, untangle.

confuse implies a mixing up mentally to a greater or lesser degree; confound implies such confusion as completely frustrates or greatly astonishes one; puzzle implies that one has great difficulty in understanding or solving something, as a situation or problem, because of its intricacy or baffling quality; perplex, in addition, implies uncertainty or even worry as to what to think, say, or do; bewilder implies such utter confusion that the mind is staggered beyond the ability to think clearly; nonplus implies such perplexity or confusion that one is utterly incapable of speaking, acting, or thinking further; dumbfound specifically implies as its effect a nonplused or confounded state in which one is momentarily struck speechless

confuse Usage Examples

Object

  • hell: This constant barrage of emails is confusing the hell out of me!
  • bit: My only problem is im a bit confused about how the dual channel memory system works.
  • tad: She must have been a tad confused as she bought me one of his dad's.
  • predator: The mass dive helps to confuse predators who may be lurking nearby.
  • viewer: The result just leaves the viewer confused as to what the show is trying to be.
  • reader: This will confuse readers who look for the four that do not exist.

Subject

  • fact: The situation is also confused by the fact that the two Barford mills also lie in Headley parish.
  • lack: This is further confused by a lack of appropriate best practice guidance from within the industry.

Preposition: at

  • moment: I'm pretty confused at the moment about God and church and stuff.

Modifying Another Word

  • somewhat: Of course the public themselves are somewhat confused on choice.
  • hopelessly: Will the children of such unions be enriched by the dual heritage that they have, or be hopelessly confused?
  • utterly: You are quite wrong and utterly confused to say that I am assuming that these things did not happen.
  • deliberately: Are the information signs for gigs at Hyde Park set up to deliberately confuse?
  • slightly: I am slightly confused by the answers to Q2.
  • easily: Over 150 notes help you make the right choice between easily confused words.

Used with why or when

  • when: So we were a bit confused when nothing happened.
  • what: You are confusing what is real with what is unreal.
  • where: There is a wealth of misinformation available to the average consumer, and you may be confused where to start looking.

Preposition: by

  • fact: The situation is also confused by the fact that the two Barford mills also lie in Headley parish.
  • lack: This is further confused by a lack of appropriate best practice guidance from within the industry.