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
The earrings feature only a single sapphire each, but are often confused with Diana’s double-drop sapphire and diamond earrings.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
26 June 2026
Her mother and sisters ultimately devised a balloon-popping reveal that left guests momentarily confused before the reality of the family's situation sank in.
—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
The new rule has confused many lower court judges, leading to wildly different lower court judgments.
—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
25 June 2026
The color was meant to repel haints; others said the haints would confuse the color with the sky and pass through the ceiling.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
26 June 2026
Her mother and sisters ultimately devised a balloon-popping reveal that left guests momentarily confused before the reality of the family's situation sank in.
—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
The new rule has confused many lower court judges, leading to wildly different lower court judgments.
—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
25 June 2026
The color was meant to repel haints; others said the haints would confuse the color with the sky and pass through the ceiling.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuse
Verb
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For three years straight, he’s kept up a pace that bewilders the industry’s leading comics.
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The narrator and his wife find that their attachment to the charismatic and cryptic Chibi grows with the cat’s increasing visits, in a way that bewilders them but somehow bonds them closer together.
Verb
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The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Washington area, which could complicate plans for fireworks displays, including the show the president will attend in Washington.
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The family's plans have been complicated by ongoing security concerns.
Verb
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The catered lunch and the free wellbeing app are not the problem; mistaking them for the work being worth doing is.
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The current podcasting landscape, to him, already mistakes access for art.
Verb
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The Chicago White Sox, a team many left for dead at the start of the year, embarrassed the Kansas City Royals Friday night, 22-1.
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But combined with Disney‘s embarrassing The Mandalorian and Grogu influencer stunt that backfired, a movie’s first reactions on social media are increasingly being met with equal amounts of fan skepticism.
Verb
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Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
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The decision severely hampered local planning for America’s 250th anniversary, disrupting history projects, museums and educational programs nationwide.
Verb
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And Wednesday’s doubleheader — thanks to a Monday rainout that perplexed Counsell — certainly didn’t help the pitching staff.
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Sometimes those editing swings make sense, like incorporating more social-media posts and group chats, but other times the stylistic choices simply perplex.
Verb
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As Americans live longer and spend more years managing chronic illness, cognitive decline and complex healthcare needs, the traditional boundaries between estate planning, financial planning and healthcare planning are beginning to blur.
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Coleman, himself a musician, has intentionally blurred the lines between brewing and performance.
Verb
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The Germans dominated the match after the break but struggled to break down Paraguay’s defense as the South Americans once again assumed the compact defending that had flustered Turkey and Australia in the opening group stage.
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Proving he wasn't flustered, Gay judged length well, left the ball well, and picked his shots, especially against dangerous New Zealand quicks Will O'Rourke and Smith.
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuse. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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