Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Being unable to think with clarity or act with understanding and intelligence.
  • adjective Lacking logical order or sense.
  • adjective Chaotic; jumbled.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Lacking orderly arrangement of parts; involved; disordered.
  • In entomology, tending to become united in one mass, as parts of a jointed organ: as, antennæ with confused outer joints.
  • In logic, indistinct: applied especially to an idea whose parts are not clearly distinguished. See clear, a., 6, and distinct.
  • Perplexed; embarrassed; disconcerted.
  • Synonyms Indiscriminate, indistinct, intricate, deranged.
  • Mystified, bewildered, flurried, abashed, discomposed, agitated, mortified.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective same as confounded.
  • adjective lacking orderly continuity.
  • adjective thrown into disorder.
  • adjective having lost one's bearings physically or mentally.
  • adjective not marked by fine distinctions.
  • adjective causing bafflement and confusion.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective chaotic, jumbled or muddled
  • adjective making no sense; illogical
  • adjective embarrassed
  • verb Simple past tense and past participle of confuse.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective having lost your bearings; confused as to time or place or personal identity
  • adjective lacking orderly continuity
  • adjective perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
  • adjective mentally confused; unable to think with clarity or act intelligently
  • adjective thrown into a state of disarray or confusion

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The term confused a resource system that might or might not have a linked property-rights system with a form of institution called “common property.”

    Governing the commons in the new millennium~ A diversity of institutions for natural resource management 2008

  • I suspect the impatiently onomatopoeic qualities of the word confused him.

    Kalooki Nights Howard Jacobson 2006

  • He looked up at her, his expression confused and tense.

    The Rogue Janet Dailey 1980

  • He looked up at her, his expression confused and tense.

    The Rogue Janet Dailey 1980

  • The term confused Windsor plant employees, as well as Peter Kruse, senior vice president for group communications for Vestas in Copenhagen.

    Greeley Tribune - Top Stories 2009

  • This time, though, they're avoiding the word "fertilization" in the amendment's language, saying that the term confused voters, who may have visualized chicken eggs.

    Denver Post: News: Breaking: Local By Tim Hoover <br><i>The Denver Post <br></i> 2009

  • This time, though, they're avoiding the word "fertilization" in the amendment's language, saying that the term confused voters, who may have visualized chicken eggs.

    Denver Post: News: Breaking: Local 2009

  • In a sensitive way, too: He used the word "confused," not "upset" - inviting you to explain your thoughts, vs. tend to his feelings.

    He cheated on her in college. Will he stray again? 2011

  • The clerk jerked to a stop, her expression confused.

    Deception Plan Patrick A. Davis 2006

  • However, repeatedly characterizing McCain's false claims as him likely being "confused" is defensible, and within the bounds of bare-knuckled political brawling.

    Archive 2008-03-01 2008

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