confuse

Verb

WordNet 3.0

Verb (5)

  1. mistake one thing for another“you are confusing me with the other candidate”“I mistook her for the secretary”Synonyms: confound
  2. 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
  3. cause to feel embarrassment“The constant attention of the young man confused her”Synonyms: flurrydisconcertput off
  4. assemble without order or sense“She jumbles the words when she is supposed to write a sentence”Synonyms: jumblemix up
  5. make unclear, indistinct, or blurred“Her remarks confused the debate”“Their words obnubilate their intentions”Synonyms: blurobscureobnubilate
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Confuse \Con*fuse"\, a. [F. confus, L. confusus, p. p. of confundere. See Confound.] Mixed; confounded. [Obs.] --Baret. [1913 Webster]

Confuse \Con*fuse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Confused; p. pr. & vb. n. Confusing.]

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]

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