disorient
verb
dis·ori·ent
(ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-ē-ˌent 
disoriented; disorienting; disorients
1
a
: to cause to lose bearings : displace from normal position or relationship
b
: to cause to lose the sense of time, place, or identity
2
: confuse
Synonyms
Examples of disorient in a Sentence
Thick fog can disorient even an experienced hiker.
troops disoriented by the sudden change in battle plans
Recent Examples on the Web
Nocturnal migratory birds are attracted to the lights on structures such as communication towers and tall buildings, becoming disoriented, many times colliding or getting exhausted and more easily predated.
—
Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
The 27-year-old conservative was introducing White House senior aide Dan Scavino at the annual gathering when he became disoriented.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 16 Dec. 2024
In the new version of the lawsuit, the 13-year-old became disoriented and found a bedroom to rest in after allegedly consuming one drink.
—Janelle Ash, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024
Now, in a somewhat disorienting narrative reversal, Tarlow has come to Manhattan, just as twenty-five years ago those breathless Manhattanites spilled out of their yellow cabs into the wilds of Williamsburg.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2024
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Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
The 27-year-old conservative was introducing White House senior aide Dan Scavino at the annual gathering when he became disoriented.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 16 Dec. 2024
In the new version of the lawsuit, the 13-year-old became disoriented and found a bedroom to rest in after allegedly consuming one drink.
—Janelle Ash, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024
Now, in a somewhat disorienting narrative reversal, Tarlow has come to Manhattan, just as twenty-five years ago those breathless Manhattanites spilled out of their yellow cabs into the wilds of Williamsburg.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disorient
Dictionary Entries Near disorient
Cite this Entry
“Disorient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorient. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
disorient
verb
dis·ori·ent
(ˈ)dis-ˈōr-ē-ˌent
-ˈȯr-
: to cause to be confused or lost
Medical Definition
disorient
transitive verb
dis·ori·ent
(ˈ)dis-ˈōr-ē-ˌent, -ˈȯr-
: to produce a state of disorientation in : disorientate
the next day the patient was disoriented but not comatose—The Journal of the American Medical Association
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