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
Then, over the ocean west of Martha’s Vineyard, John became spatially disoriented and lost control.
—
Jeff Wise, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Otey became disoriented and confused, according to the complaint.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Then conditions suddenly turn whiteout, disorienting at best and fatal at worst.
—Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026
This device simulates zero-G by flipping and disorienting the cells placed within it.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disorient
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Jeff Wise, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Otey became disoriented and confused, according to the complaint.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Then conditions suddenly turn whiteout, disorienting at best and fatal at worst.
—Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026
This device simulates zero-G by flipping and disorienting the cells placed within it.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disorient
Cite this Entry
“Disorient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorient. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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
The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
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