confuse
VerbWordNet 3.0
Verb (5)
- mistake one thing for another“you are confusing me with the other candidate”“I mistook her for the secretary”Synonyms: confound
- be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly“These questions confuse even the experts”“This question completely threw me”“This question befuddled even the teacher”Synonyms: throwfoxbefuddlefuddlebedevilconfounddiscombobulate
- cause to feel embarrassment“The constant attention of the young man confused her”Synonyms: flurrydisconcertput off
- assemble without order or sense“She jumbles the words when she is supposed to write a sentence”Synonyms: jumblemix up
- make unclear, indistinct, or blurred“Her remarks confused the debate”“Their words obnubilate their intentions”Synonyms: blurobscureobnubilate
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Confuse \Con*fuse"\, a. [F. confus, L. confusus, p. p. of confundere. See Confound.] Mixed; confounded. [Obs.] --Baret. [1913 Webster]
1.To mix or blend so that things can not be distinguished; to jumble together; to confound; to render indistinct or obscure; as, to confuse accounts; to confuse one's vision. [1913 Webster]
A universal hubbub wild Of stunning sounds and voices all confused.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
2.To perplex; to disconcert; to abash; to cause to lose self-possession. [1913 Webster]
Nor thou with shadowed hint confuse A life that leads melodious days.— Tennyson.[1913 Webster]
Confused and sadly she at length replied.— Pope.
Syn: To abash; disorder; disarrange; disconcert; confound; obscure; distract. See Abash. [1913 Webster]