disorient
verb
dis·ori·ent
(ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-ē-ˌent 
disoriented; disorienting; disorients
1
a
: to cause to lose bearings : displace from normal position or relationship
b
: to cause to lose the sense of time, place, or identity
2
: confuse
Examples of disorient in a Sentence
Thick fog can disorient even an experienced hiker.
troops disoriented by the sudden change in battle plans
Recent Examples on the Web
If the above listings look disorienting or intimidating, just know that the College World Series is double-elimination style across two brackets — think of those as the Friday and Saturday sides.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 June 2025
While the victim was in the car and disoriented from airbags deploying, Oprian allegedly walked to the victim’s car and struck it numerous times with a hatchet, shattering its windshield.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 5 June 2025
When hatred is this blatant, and the response from institutions and leaders is muted or muddled, something foundational is eroding.
Antisemitism has always been a threat, but its resurgence, and frightening acceptance, in mainstream American life is dangerous and disorienting.
—Larry Hogan, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025
Literal flames surrounded the glow, both repelling and drawing you in more, followed by two loud, disorienting thumps.
—Christopher Rosa, Glamour, 16 May 2025
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Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 June 2025
While the victim was in the car and disoriented from airbags deploying, Oprian allegedly walked to the victim’s car and struck it numerous times with a hatchet, shattering its windshield.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 5 June 2025
When hatred is this blatant, and the response from institutions and leaders is muted or muddled, something foundational is eroding.
Antisemitism has always been a threat, but its resurgence, and frightening acceptance, in mainstream American life is dangerous and disorienting.
—Larry Hogan, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025
Literal flames surrounded the glow, both repelling and drawing you in more, followed by two loud, disorienting thumps.
—Christopher Rosa, Glamour, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for disorient
Cite this Entry
“Disorient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorient. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
disorient
verb
dis·ori·ent
(ˈ)dis-ˈōr-ē-ˌent
-ˈȯr-
: to cause to be confused or lost
Medical Definition
disorient
transitive verb
dis·ori·ent
(ˈ)dis-ˈōr-ē-ˌent, -ˈȯr-
: to produce a state of disorientation in : disorientate
the next day the patient was disoriented but not comatose—The Journal of the American Medical Association
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