confused

1 of 2

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

confused

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of confuse

Synonyms of confused

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of confused in a Sentence

Adjective 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
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Adjective
Critics of the move have been vocal, and many residents were left confused. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 The review process has left ed tech leaders both confused and ready to fight. — Linda Jacobson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 But others seemed confused about Smith’s statement, including Community Response Director Brian Pedro, whose department manages the city’s homelessness services. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026 After all, the greatest art often emerges from those who are at their most vulnerable, confused and lost. — Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for confused

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English — more at confuse

First Known Use

Adjective

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

See All Rhymes for confused

Browse Nearby Words

confuse
confused
confused flour beetle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confused.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confused. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

confused

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