Synonyms for

Confuse

Verb / kʌˈnfju:z / Another word for confuse — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

To make someone feel uncertain or unclear about something.

Synonyms & similar words

putoff confound befuddle throw fox flurry obnubilate jumble mixup obscure disconcert fuddle blur discombobulate bedevil bewilder baffle puzzle perplex muddle mix-up disorient embarrass fluster rattle stump unsettle discombobulate fuddle mystify obfuscate addle amaze astonish

Synonyms by register

Formal

bewilder perplex baffle disorient

Informal

mix up rattle throw off flummox

Literary

befuddle addle bewilder

Antonyms

clarify explain enlighten illuminate orient resolve

Common collocations

  • confuse the issue
  • confuse one thing with another
  • confuse the enemy
  • confuse the public
  • confuse the senses
  • confuse the situation
  • confuse the data

Word family

noun confusion
verb confuse
adjective confused
adverb confusedly

Usage note

Confuse implies making something unclear or difficult to understand. It is often used when someone is deliberately misled or when information is presented in a jumbled way.

Example sentences

  1. The teacher's explanation confused the student even more.
  2. I always get confused when I try to use a new computer program.
  3. Her handwriting was so messy that it confused the reader.
  4. The different directions from each person confused me.
  5. The similar sounding words confused the speaker.

Quotes

  • The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.
  • Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.
  • If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.

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