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Definition of confuse

confuse

/kənˈfjuːz/
con · fuse
Adverb:confusedly
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Adjective:confused
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Past Simple:confused
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Past Participle:confused
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Present Participle:confusing
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confuse Lexical Profile

confuse Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To cause someone to become bewildered, perplexed, or unable to think clearly.

Example

"The sudden change in the examination schedule began to confuse several students."

2

To fail to distinguish between two or more people or things; to mistake one thing for another.

Example

"People often confuse the two twin brothers because their voices sound identical."

3

To make a situation, topic, or issue more complicated, obscure, or difficult to understand.

Example

"Adding unnecessary technical jargon will only confuse the main point of the report."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for confuse
Antonyms
View all antonyms for confuse

• Rhymes for confuse

• Nearby Words

confronter
confronting
confusable
confuse
confused
confusedly
confusedness

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Old French 'confus' or formed directly as a back-formation from 'confused', ultimately from the Latin 'confusus', the past participle of 'confundere' meaning 'to pour together, mingle, or disorder'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Confuse. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/confuse
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