confusing
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of confusing
Explanation
Something that's confusing doesn't make any sense — it perplexes you. A confusing, hand-drawn map might lead you in circles as you try to find your destination. It can be confusing to walk out of a dark movie theater into the bright sunlight, or to get a phone call from someone whose voice you don't recognize. Situations like this disorient you a little bit. Things that are difficult and complicated, like a really hard math test, can also be confusing. The adjective comes from confuse, which has a Latin root, confundere, "mingle together."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Extricating the Fed from fiscal policy would allow it to focus on price stability rather than the confusing promise of ample reserves.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
During argument, Sotomayor pointed to findings that Google’s interfaces themselves were confusing and opaque.
From Slate • May 20, 2026
The handball law is confusing at the best of times, but one factor has always outweighed any other.
From BBC • May 13, 2026
Since the NBA ended its long-running deal to air games on TNT and TBS, things have gotten far more confusing for fans.
From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026
Our jumps had crossed over themselves so much that it all felt like a confusing spiderweb of time travel at this point.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
