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
Most disorienting of all might have been the painful memories conjured by the setting for the ceremony itself, inside the Capitol where, four years and two weeks ago, a violent insurrection of Trump supporters sought to block certification of Biden’s victory.
—
Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
As someone who has been there, nothing is worse than being sick and disoriented in a new place, hoping to find a pharmacy.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2025
The driver appeared to be hurt and disoriented, and one of the bystanders called 911 while the other approached the driver to help, deputies said.
—Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 9 Jan. 2025
His family went to bed, jet-lagged and disoriented.
—Jes Aznar, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for disorient 
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Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
As someone who has been there, nothing is worse than being sick and disoriented in a new place, hoping to find a pharmacy.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2025
The driver appeared to be hurt and disoriented, and one of the bystanders called 911 while the other approached the driver to help, deputies said.
—Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 9 Jan. 2025
His family went to bed, jet-lagged and disoriented.
—Jes Aznar, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
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 30 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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