confused

adjective

con·​fused kən-ˈfyüzd How to pronounce confused (audio)
Synonyms of confused
1
a
: being perplexed or disconcerted
the confused students
b
: disoriented with regard to one's sense of time, place, or identity
The patient became confused.
2
: indistinguishable
… a zigzag, crisscross, confused trail …—Harry Hervey
3
: being disordered or mixed up
a contradictory and often confused story
confusedly
kən-ˈfyü-zəd-lē How to pronounce confused (audio)
-ˈfyüzd-
adverb
confusedness
kən-ˈfyü-zəd-nəs How to pronounce confused (audio)
-ˈfyüz(d)-
noun

Synonyms of confused

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Examples of confused in a Sentence

I've never been so confused. We're confused about what to do next. He gave a confused speech denying the accusations.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But if the customer leaves frustrated, confused, or forced to restart with a different channel, the automation didn't succeed. — Amit Mathradas, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Residents remained confused why the mowing was done so early this year, though some speculated that the town may have been trying to spend money before the end of the fiscal year. — Tran Chau, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026 In the first moments of the film, Flaco is found on a New York City sidewalk, looking distressed and confused. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 When Chevrolet introduced a hybrid system to the Corvette lineup in 2023, creating the E-Ray, many fans were confused. — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for confused

Word History

Etymology

Middle English — more at confuse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of confused was in the 14th century

Rhymes for confused

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Browse Nearby Words

confuse
confused
confused flour beetle
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Cite this Entry

“Confused.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confused. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

confused

adjective
con·​fused kən-ˈfyüzd How to pronounce confused (audio)
: affected with mental confusion

More from Merriam-Webster on confused

Nglish: Translation of confused for Spanish Speakers

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