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 debut of the Chicago White Stockings (now White Sox) — not to be confused with the previous White Stockings, which later became the Cubs — was also the first American League game.
—
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Othman said that the protests were planned and coordinated by people who had been recruited and trained, and violence occurred simultaneously in various locations to confuse the police.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
But this should not be confused with fidelity or long-term commitment.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Much of the East German and Soviet propaganda at that time was designed to confuse and cast doubt, not necessarily to fully persuade.
—Lauren Cassidy, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Othman said that the protests were planned and coordinated by people who had been recruited and trained, and violence occurred simultaneously in various locations to confuse the police.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
But this should not be confused with fidelity or long-term commitment.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Much of the East German and Soviet propaganda at that time was designed to confuse and cast doubt, not necessarily to fully persuade.
—Lauren Cassidy, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuse
Verb
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Netizens were bewildered by the latest pivot, resulting in plenty of mockery on social media.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
16 Apr. 2026
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But even more than engaging the big ideas that Emma’s revelation triggers — pun somewhat intended — Lee and Borli wanted to craft an experience that would mimic its main characters’ bewildering interiority.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Concerns about the injury complicated his evaluation.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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This year that quarterback-in-waiting is Alabama’s Ty Simpson, a talented and smart player whose evaluation is complicated by injury struggles, as well as a lack of starting experience and consistency.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There was confusion at first about whether a shooting had occurred or whether plates dropping to the floor had been mistaken for gunshots.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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When a Southern California resident spotted a fleshy purple organism on the shore, she might have been forgiven for mistaking it for a fungus.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Charlotte Checkers opened the AHL playoffs with a bang Wednesday, embarrassing the Springfield Thunderbirds in the opening game of the teams’ first-round AHL playoff series in Charlotte.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
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That said, some women would be wise not to embarrass themselves under the brighter lights that Clark brings.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The United Nations Development Programme reports that higher energy prices, disrupted food systems, and economic slowdowns triggered by the war could push up to thirty-two million people globally into poverty.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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Ahead of them, Joe Willock (white) was in position to defend a short corner and Jacob Murphy (orange) played a hybrid role to help disrupt Gabriel, before protecting the area near the penalty spot and also keeping an eye out for late runners.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As Season 3 of Euphoria continues to stir up some controversy, one of the show’s stars is perplexed by Cassie’s (Sydney Sweeney) OnlyFans storyline.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
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Baer appeared perplexed by this coy pretense of innocence.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Martinez is throwing some blurs these days after returning this season following Tommy John surgery in June 2024.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Two of Horner's former teachers – both requesting their faces be blurred – delivered some of the most emotional testimony of the day.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This comes up every few years, and everyone gets all flustered every few years.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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Lullaby, Book of Love’s 1988 follow-up, is the sound of a band that felt surprised and flustered by unexpected success.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuse. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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