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Definitions

confuse

[kuhn-fyooz] / kənˈfyuz /
VERB
bewilder someone
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amaze astonish baffle befuddle bemuse complicate confound daze demoralize disconcert disorient distract embarrass fluster frustrate involve misinform mislead mortify muddle mystify obscure perplex perturb puzzle trouble unsettle upset worry
STRONG
abash addle becloud bedevil cloud clutter darken discomfit discompose discountenance faze fog fuddle nonplus rattle shame stump unhinge
WEAK
lead astray mess up render uncertain stir up throw off throw off balance
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist calm clarify clear up comfort encourage enlighten expect explain explicate facilitate help illuminate order please settle soothe support
WEAK
organize separate
VERB
mix up; involve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
confound disorganize involve muddle
STRONG
blend clutter disarrange disarray discombobulate disorder embroil encumber entangle intermingle jumble litter mingle mistake rumple tangle tousle tumble
WEAK
bedlamize discreate mess up muss up snarl up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clear up enlighten explain order organize
STRONG
arrange clean up divide exclude neaten separate tidy uncomplicate unmix untangle untwist
WEAK
clarify

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

People who confuse reasonable limitations on their actions with violations of their rights develop a sense of entitlement and inevitable disappointment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The CIA "executed a deception campaign to confuse the Iranians, who were desperately hunting for our airmen," whom Washington located as of Saturday morning, Ratcliffe said, without providing details on the deception efforts.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Shadows may confuse the system about a block's shape, or the robot may place pieces incorrectly, causing the structure to collapse.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

In Season 19 of “America’s Got Talent,” the comedian won over audiences by joking about how American movies about Africa often confuse Africans, asking, “Why do the lions have American accents?”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

People who confuse these must drive veterinarians crazy.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Vocabulary lists containing confuse

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