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
Frank’s pragmatism shouldn’t be confused with a lack of ambition without the ball, however.
—
Elias Burke, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
Here's what The Old Farmers Almanac (not to be confused with the Farmers' Almanac) predicts the remainder of August and September will look like.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 13 Aug. 2025
The musician handled the slight interruption like a pro, appearing confused before carrying on.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Ahead of an August 12 deadline for a US-China trade deal, Donald Trump's tactics continue to confuse those trying to assess the country's national security priorities regarding its biggest geopolitical rival.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Elias Burke, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
Here's what The Old Farmers Almanac (not to be confused with the Farmers' Almanac) predicts the remainder of August and September will look like.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 13 Aug. 2025
The musician handled the slight interruption like a pro, appearing confused before carrying on.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Ahead of an August 12 deadline for a US-China trade deal, Donald Trump's tactics continue to confuse those trying to assess the country's national security priorities regarding its biggest geopolitical rival.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuse
Verb
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Will people be bewildered as to the difference between speaking of the two-word AI versus any of these three-word variations? Likely.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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We are bewildered with taking action regarding energy and climate change, even though suggestions and answers have been available for over 50 years.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Polling Russians about the war is complicated, but surveys reveal that almost 70% of Russians are in support of the conflict and pursuing total victory.—
Natasha Lindstaedt,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Trump said the decision is complicated, weighing the benefits of marijuana use for medical reasons against potential societal impacts.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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My body mistakes fear for emptiness, exhaustion for need.—
Alaa Alqaisi
August 13,
Literary Hub,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Once Elio is beamed up to space, the aliens mistake him for the leader of Earth.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Dodgers embarrassed them on the field and then hit the podcast circuit to shame them some more, ridiculing their defense, their baserunning, their lack of composure and even their unnecessary visits to the mound.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
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Big yikes: This is a sarcastic phrase to publicly mock or shame someone for a cringey comment, outfit, or behavior and is used to embarrass others in group chats or social media.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Indiana Democrats lack the ability to break quorum and disrupt legislative processes, like their counterparts in Texas are currently doing, Pierce told anchor Kate Bolduan.—
Indianapolis Star,
IndyStar,
7 Aug. 2025
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Usually, Alzheimer’s disease also causes personality changes, loss of appetite, and disrupted sleep.2 Sometimes, the symptoms can help a healthcare provider diagnose a person’s specific type of dementia.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Having witnessed Axel's affection firsthand, Ollie's staff members are perplexed that the pup hasn't found his forever home, despite searching for an adopter for over a year.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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The revelation perplexed Wall Street traders, who had expected bullion to be exempt from duties.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Some of the details the Sony lenses brought out were incredibly striking, because of how clear everything was with perfect bokeh blurring behind the subject.—
Scott Kramer,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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However, the lines of the tattoo blurred over time, causing the ink to spread and the words to be difficult to read.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While some may break out in a cold sweat hearing about a passing asteroid, astronomers are almost never flustered by this kind of event.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
24 July 2025
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Siegemund, 37, plays an unorthodox style of tennis that can leave opponents flustered.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuse. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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