confusing

American  

[kuhn-fyoo-zing] / kənˈfyu zɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing or tending to cause confusion.

   a confusing attempt at explanation.

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confusing British  

/ kənˈfjuːzɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing bewilderment; difficult to follow; puzzling

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Other Word Forms

• confusingly adverb
• confusingness noun
• unconfusing adjective

Etymology

Origin of confusing

First recorded in 1840–50; confuse + -ing ²

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

“It’s ultimately kind of confusing, especially on the heels of the Artemis II mission,” said Roohi Dalal, deputy director for public policy at the American Astronomical Society.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

"It was a confusing moment. We didn't know what was going on. We had never been in this situation before. It was very, very confusing."

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

If you’re an astronomer, it’s people confusing what you do with astrology.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

With so much spending on healthcare, older boomers—and their adult kids—expect better results and a less confusing, complicated and fragmented system.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

It was a confusing feeling, happy and angry all at once.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Related Words

• baffling
• bewildering
• complex
• complicated
• confounding
• difficult
• disconcerting
• perplexing
• upsetting