disorient

verb

dis·​ori·​ent (ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-ē-ˌent 

disoriented; disorienting; disorients

transitive verb

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

• addle
• baffle
• bamboozle
• beat
• befog
• befuddle
• bemuse
• bewilder
• buffalo
• confound
• confuse
• discombobulate
• flummox
• fox
• fuddle
• get
• gravel
• maze
• muddle
• muddy
• mystify
• perplex
• pose
• puzzle
• vex

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

The sheriff’s office described the man’s condition at the time as disoriented and showing signs of hypothermia. —David Chiu, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025

The throng of travelers at the airport disoriented Mr. Matobato. —Jes Aznar, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025

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

Word History

Etymology

French désorienter, from dés- dis- + orienter to orient

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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