disorient Hear it!

disorient Definition

dis·ori·ent (dis ôr′ē ent′)

transitive verb

  1. to turn away from the east
  2. to cause to lose one's bearings
  3. to confuse mentally, esp. with respect to time, place, and the identity of persons and objects

Etymology: Fr désorienter: see dis- & orient,

Also disorientate dis·o′ri·en·tate′ (-ən tāt′)

Related Forms:

disorient Usage Examples

Subject

  • change: Old fans might also be a bit disoriented by a change in format.

Object

  • effect: Some of the criticism of the disorienting effect of hypertext stems from very early systems.
  • experience: It is, without doubt, a hugely disconcerting, disorienting experience, claustrophobic almost to the degree that it induces panic.
  • people: This confuses and disorients people, breeding a climate of suspicion and mistrust.
  • bit: Old fans might also be a bit disoriented by a change in format.
  • dilemma: Also, how do adults deal with these disorienting dilemmas, these radical changes?
  • lifestyle: It was also a very disorienting lifestyle, where everything you might need in three places had to be carried around.

Used with why or when

  • when: At first we were a bit disoriented when the skies clouded over and the most torrential tropical storm started.

Preposition: by

  • change: Old fans might also be a bit disoriented by a change in format.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: Showing the last 20 characters of each path is very disorienting; just think of how to sort such a thing.
  • so: I have never felt so disoriented in my life.
  • little: I stumbled into the parlor, where the dimness was alleviated somewhat, and stood near the doorway, a little disoriented.
  • somewhat: The trip to Swansea turned out to be somewhat disorienting.
  • totally: Most victims report hallucinating by the end, and are totally disoriented.
  • completely: That place where the ego is completely disoriented is what you're looking for.