mazed

1 9.6

Confused and unable to think clearly

adjective
/meɪzd/

: perplejo

The students were mazed by the complicated instructions given for the group project.

Examples

He stood there, mazed by the unexpected turn of events at the party.
First, all mazed and uncomprehending, she swooned.

Fiction book (1994)
The spring, the summer, the childing Autumn, angry winter, change their wonted liveries, and the mazed world, by their increase, now knows not which is which:

Return with Honor (1999)
After hearing so many different opinions, she felt completely mazed and didn't know whom to trust.

Synonyms

confused

vsmazed

762 1.3

Not able to think clearly or understand what is happening

focuses more on confusion caused by contradicting situations and thoughts

lost

vsmazed

625 1.0

Confused and unsure what to do or where to go

adds that the confusion comes specifically from many conflicting situations or views

puzzled

vsmazed

68 3.0

Unable to understand something because you feel confused

is the same confusion but occurs alongside being mentally preoccupied

baffled

vsmazed

48 3.9

Feeling confused when you cannot understand something

is less about difficulty alone and more about conflicting situations causing loss

bewildered

vsmazed

38 5.3

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

adds a feature of inward thought and being lost among conflicting signals

perplexed

vsmazed

30 5.1

Feeling confused because you do not understand something

is more tied to feeling lost in thought from many conflicting things

mixed-up

vsmazed

Informal

26 4.9

Confused and unsure because different ideas or instructions do not agree

is confused in the same way but with more internal thought and bewilderment

muddled

vsmazed

18 5.4

Confused and not in clear order so hard to understand

is more about being mentally lost because of many conflicting inputs

mystified

vsmazed

17 5.9

Not able to understand what is happening and feeling puzzled

is less absolute and centres on being lost amid many conflicting statements

addled

vsmazed

13 7.3

Confused and unable to think clearly

is similar but focuses on being puzzled by contradictory situations

bemused

vsmazed

13 6.7

Unable to understand what is happening

is similar but stresses being lost in thought amid conflicts

at sea

vsmazed

10 6.8

Confused and not sure what to do

involves similar uncertainty but rooted in many conflicting pieces of information

befuddled

vsmazed

10 7.4

Confused and unable to think clearly

is similar but highlights confusion from conflicting external information

confounded

vsmazed

7 6.8

Feeling very confused and not able to understand something unexpected

has the same fit but also implies being mentally lost and reflective

discombobulated

vsmazed

Informal

6 9.9

Confused and unable to think clearly after something unexpected

is cognitive confusion caused more by conflicting facts than shaken calm

disoriented

vsmazed

1 5.1

Feeling confused or lost about your place among others

is mental bewilderment focused on conflicting statements rather than social role

addlepated

vsmazed

Archaic

1 9.9

Confused and acting silly with a muddled, forgetful mind

is more serious confusion caused by conflicting statements or events

muddleheaded

vsmazed

Offensive

1 9.1

Confused and unable to think clearly

is more about puzzlement from conflicting information rather than general foolishness

puddled

vsmazed

Informal

1 8.7

Confused and unable to think clearly because of tiredness or stress

is similar but links confusion specifically to facing many contradictions

bamfoozled

vsmazed

Informal

9.9

Confused and not sure what to do

is more formal confusion tied to being lost in thought by contradictions

metagrobolized

vsmazed

Slang

9.9

Feeling completely confused and unable to understand something

is similar but emphasises being mentally stuck among many conflicting ideas

Antonyms

clearheaded

3 4.9

Able to think clearly and make good decisions

How Confused

perplexed

30 5.1

bewildered

38 5.3

mazed

1 9.6

confused

762 1.3

puzzled

68 3.0

Surface Forms

mazed positive

Morphology

mazed = maze (transparent) = maze + ed

A regular adjectival/past participle formation from the verb 'maze' meaning 'to bewilder', so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

The word mazed comes from the old word maze, which meant a 'confused' or 'lost' state and also a winding path. So to be mazed is like standing inside a maze, feeling puzzled and unable to find the way out.