English dictionary



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English verb: confuse

1. confuse (cognition) mistake one thing for another


SamplesYou are confusing me with the other candidate.
I mistook her for the secretary.


Synonymsconfound


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Somebody ----s something PP


Broader (hypernym)misidentify, mistake


Verb groupblur, confuse, confuse, jumble, mix up, obnubilate, obscure

2. confuse (cognition) be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly


SamplesThese questions confuse even the experts.
This question completely threw me.
This question befuddled even the teacher.


Synonymsbedevil, befuddle, confound, discombobulate, fox, fuddle, throw


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)be


Narrower (hyponym)amaze, baffle, beat, bewilder, demoralize, disorient, disorientate, dumbfound, flummox, get, gravel, mystify, nonplus, perplex, pose, puzzle, stick, stupefy, vex


Verb groupconfuse, disconcert, flurry, put off

3. confuse (emotion) cause to feel embarrassment


SamplesThe constant attention of the young man confused her.


ExamplesThe bad news will confuse him, The good news will confuse her, The performance is likely to confuse Sue


Synonymsdisconcert, flurry, put off


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)abash, embarrass


Narrower (hyponym)bother, deflect, distract, fluster


Verb groupbedevil, befuddle, confound, confuse, discombobulate, fox, fuddle, throw

4. confuse (creation) assemble without order or sense


SamplesShe jumbles the words when she is supposed to write a sentence.


Synonymsjumble, mix up


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)assemble, piece, put together, set up, tack, tack together


Narrower (hyponym)addle, muddle, puddle


Verb groupconfound, confuse

5. confuse (cognition) make unclear, indistinct, or blurred


SamplesHer remarks confused the debate.
Their words obnubilate their intentions.


Synonymsblur, obnubilate, obscure


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)alter, change, modify


Narrower (hyponym)muddy


Verb groupconfound, confuse









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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