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

While some people feel like their vote won't make a difference, many others are simply exhausted—and in some cases alienated or confused—by our political environment. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

That left a lot of Swifties sad, confused and wandering around, trying to find the bracelet sent from New Orleans. —Arika Herron, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024

No matter how convinced someone might be that what’s inside each box is completely harmless, the mystery and misdirection of it all keep them confused and slightly scared. —Drew Gerber, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Unfortunately, the movie is a fiasco from the start, confused, disorganized, and often nonsensical; this one just appears to have gotten away from Ponsoldt. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 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