confuse

verb con·fuse \kən-ˈfyüz\

: to make (someone) uncertain or unable to understand something

: to make (something) difficult to understand

: to mistakenly think that one person or thing is another person or thing : to mistake (one person or thing) for another

con·fusedcon·fus·ing

Full Definition of CONFUSE

transitive verb

archaic : to bring to ruin

a : to make embarrassed : abash

b : to disturb in mind or purpose : throw off

a : to make indistinct : blur <stop confusing the issue>

b : to mix indiscriminately : jumble

c : to fail to differentiate from an often similar or related other <confuse money with comfort>

— con·fus·ing·ly \-ˈfyü-ziŋ-lē\ adverb

See confuse defined for English-language learners

See confuse defined for kids

back-formation from Middle English confused frustrated, ruined, from Anglo-French confus, from Latin confusus, past participle of confundere

First Known Use: 14th century

Synonyms: addle, baffle, bamboozle, beat, befog, befuddle, bemuse, bewilder, buffalo, confound, discombobulate, disorient, flummox, fox, fuddle, get, gravel, maze, muddle, muddy, mystify, perplex, pose, puzzle, vex, blow one's mind, go to one's head

CONFUSING Defined for Kids

verb con·fuse \kən-ˈfyüz\

con·fusedcon·fus·ing

: to make uncertain or unable to understand : perplex <The directions confused me and I got lost.>

: to fail to tell apart <Teachers always confused the twins.>

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