confused

adjective

con·​fused kən-ˈfyüzd 

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 

-ˈfyüzd-

adverb

confusedness

kən-ˈfyü-zəd-nəs 

-ˈfyüz(d)-

noun

Synonyms

• chaotic
• cluttered
• disarranged
• disarrayed
• disheveled
• dishevelled
• disordered
• disorderly
• higgledy-piggledy
• hugger-mugger
• jumbled
• littered
• messed
• messy
• muddled
• mussed
• mussy
• pell-mell
• rumpled
• sloppy
• topsy-turvy
• tousled
• tumbled
• unkempt
• untidy
• upside-down

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

Prepare to be deeply confused yet entertained by the main character’s wildly unreliable imagination. —Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 27 Nov. 2024

Kicker Justin Tucker made a 45-yard field goal in the third quarter, but the Ravens, including running back Keaton Mitchell, still seem confused about when to return kickoffs. —Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024

Applicability Some taxpayers are confused about their own reporting requirements—simply receiving a form (or not) doesn’t control the tax treatment. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Selena Gomez would often get confused for one of her TV characters early in her career. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English — more at confuse

First Known Use

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

Medical Definition

confused

adjective

con·​fused kən-ˈfyüzd 

: affected with mental confusion