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View synonyms for

confuse

[ kuhn-fyooz ]

verb (used with object)

confused, confusing.
  1. to perplex or bewilder:

    The flood of questions confused me.

    Synonyms: ,

  2. to make unclear or indistinct:

    The rumors and angry charges tended to confuse the issue.

  3. to fail to distinguish between; associate by mistake; confound:

    to confuse dates;

    He always confuses the twins.

  4. to disconcert or abash:

    His candor confused her.

    Synonyms: , ,

  5. to combine without order; jumble; disorder:

    Try not to confuse the papers on the desk.

    Synonyms: , ,

  6. Archaic. to bring to ruin or naught.


confuse

/ əˈː /

verb

  1. to bewilder; perplex
  2. to mix up (things, ideas, etc); jumble
  3. to make unclear

    he confused his talk with irrelevant details

  4. to fail to recognize the difference between; mistake (one thing) for another
  5. to disconcert; embarrass
  6. to cause to become disordered

    the enemy ranks were confused by gas

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • Dzˌڳܲˈٲ, noun
  • Dzˈڳܲ, adjectivenoun
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Other Word Forms

  • Dz·ڳܲ·· adjective
  • Dz·ڳܲ····ٲ [k, uh, n-fyoo-z, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
  • Dz·ڳܲ·· adverb
  • ·Dz·ڳܲ verb (used with object) preconfused preconfusing
  • ·Dz·ڳܲ verb (used with object) reconfused reconfusing
  • un·Dz·ڳܲ·· adjective
  • un·Dz·ڳܲ·· adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of confuse1

First recorded in 1300–50; from Old French confus “perplexed,” from Latin DzԴūܲ “mixed, poured,” past participle of confundere; confound
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Word History and Origins

Origin of confuse1

C18: back formation from confused, from Latin DzԴūܲ mingled together, from confundere to pour together; see confound
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Synonym Study

Confuse, disconcert, embarrass imply temporary interference with the clear working of one's mind. To confuse is to produce a general bewilderment: to confuse someone by giving complicated directions. To disconcert is to disturb one's mind by irritation, perplexities, etc.: to disconcert someone by asking irrelevant questions. To embarrass is to cause one to be ill at ease or uncomfortable, so that one's usual judgment and presence of mind desert one: to embarrass someone by unexpected rudeness.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"After the attack, there's a sense that a war is looming. So tourists are confused about what to do," said Sansare.

From

"A lot of us are still numb. A lot of us are still angry, confused, sad, devastated - and some of us don't know how to feel, what to feel," said R.J.

From

Boss Pep Guardiola has told Manchester City they cannot get "confused" this season has been a success after reaching the FA Cup final.

From

“In a world that is now feeling so confusing and distressing, this weekend gives all of us a chance to find a sense of unity, purpose and support,” Tang said.

From

Rebellion — the movie can confuse first-time viewers who assume that all masterpieces must be swaggering, visionary totems.

From

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