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confused

confused

692 1.3
Not able to think clearly or understand what is happening
  • adjective
  • /kənˈfjuzd/
translation icon : confundido
  • She was confused by the contradictory statements made during the discussion.
  • become confused
  • get confused
  • feel confused

Or perhaps we'll just be as confused as we are now forever.

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Examples

  • If you are confused, go back to the first video.

  • But I hope you will not get confused by these details.

  • Or perhaps we'll just be as confused as we are now forever.

  • At first, I think my friends were pretty confused, as they should be.

  • Or when they were confused, we worked at finding a solution.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Listen, you seem kind of confused.

  • We found most patients were confused about multiple aspects of their treatment.

    Academic text (2017)
  • I think I'm even more confused about how I feel.

  • Yeah, but I'm a little confused.

  • You look confused.

Synonyms

mixed-up
vsconfused
  • Informal
82 4.9

Confused and unsure because different ideas or instructions do not agree

is the broader inability to think clearly beyond only conflicting cases
puzzled
vsconfused
31 3.0

Unable to understand something because you feel confused

covers that lack of understanding but also wider uncertainty and bewilderment
at sea
vsconfused
9 6.8

Confused and not sure what to do

is the wider inability to think clearly, not only unsure action
muddled
vsconfused
7 5.4

Confused and not in clear order so hard to understand

is the personal feeling of not thinking clearly rather than messy situations
perplexed
vsconfused
7 5.1

Feeling confused because you do not understand something

is similarly unclear but can be less total and more general
disoriented
vsconfused
6 5.1

Feeling confused or lost about your place among others

is broader uncertainty and unclear thought beyond social or spatial loss
addled
vsconfused
6 7.3

Confused and unable to think clearly

is the plain state of unclear thinking not implying silliness
lost
vsconfused
6 1.0

Confused and unsure what to do or where to go

is the general unclear thinking feeling, not only spatial disorientation
bemused
vsconfused
3 6.7

Unable to understand what is happening

is straightforward inability to think clearly rather than passive puzzlement
nonplussed
vsconfused
3 8.9

Very surprised and confused so you do not know what to say or do

is general inability to think clearly rather than surprise plus confusion
discombobulated
vsconfused
  • Informal
2 9.9

Confused and unable to think clearly after something unexpected

is general bewilderment rather than mainly upset composure
mystified
vsconfused
1 5.9

Not able to understand what is happening and feeling puzzled

is a more general state of unclear thought or uncertainty
flummoxed
vsconfused
1 8.1

Not able to understand what is happening or what to do

is the general inability to think clearly rather than sudden bafflement
bewildered
vsconfused
1 5.3

Feeling confused and not knowing what is happening or what to do

is a broader state of unclear thinking and uncertainty rather than only shock
muddleheaded
vsconfused
  • Offensive
1 9.1

Confused and unable to think clearly

is the broader experience of bewilderment rather than stupid-sounding judgment
addlepated
vsconfused
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Confused and acting silly with a muddled, forgetful mind

is the straightforward inability to think clearly rather than playful silliness
baffled
vsconfused
3.9

Feeling confused when you cannot understand something

is the wider feeling of unclear thought not limited to hard puzzles
confounded
vsconfused
6.8

Feeling very confused and not able to understand something unexpected

is similar but includes any unclear thinking or general uncertainty
mazed
vsconfused
9.6

Confused and unable to think clearly

is a general state of unclear thinking not tied to many items
befuddled
vsconfused
7.4

Confused and unable to think clearly

is the general bewildered feeling rather than a light-headed confusion
in great confusion
vsconfused
5.2

With much hurry and disorder

is the personal feeling of unclear thought rather than chaotic activity
puddled
vsconfused
  • Informal
8.7

Confused and unable to think clearly because of tiredness or stress

is unclear thinking or bewilderment not limited to tiredness causes
bamfoozled
vsconfused
  • Informal
9.9

Confused and not sure what to do

is the neutral state of unclear thinking without informal tone

Antonyms

1 4.3

Calm and in control of your feelings during stress

1 4.9

Able to think clearly and make good decisions

How Confused

perplexed
7 5.1
bewildered
1 5.3
confused
692 1.3
baffled
3.9

Surface Forms

confused positive

Morphology

confused = confuse (transparent) = confuse + ed

The adjective is a regular past-participial adjectival formation from the verb 'confuse' and its meaning ('unable to think clearly') is directly derived from the verb.

Etymology

Confused comes from the Latin parts con- 'together' and fundere 'to pour'. The idea is 'poured together' or mixed, so when your thoughts are confused they feel mixed up and you cannot think clearly.