confuse

(kən-fyo͞ozˈ)

1. a. To cause to be unable to think with clarity or act with intelligence or understanding; throw off.
   b. To cause to feel embarrassment.
2. a. To mistake (for another): confused effusiveness with affection.
   b. To make opaque; blur: “The old labels … confuse debate instead of clarifying it” (Christopher Lasch).
   c. To assemble without order or sense; jumble.
3. Archaic To bring to ruination.

Related Forms:

• con·fusˈa·ble adjective

• con·fusˈing·ly adverb