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Synonyms

confusing

American  
[kuhn-fyoo-zing] / kənˈfyu zɪŋ /

adjective

  1. causing or tending to cause confusion.

    a confusing attempt at explanation.
confusing British  
/ kənˈfjuːzɪŋ /

adjective

  1. causing bewilderment; difficult to follow; puzzling

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • confusingly adverb
  • confusingness noun
  • unconfusing adjective

Etymology

Origin of confusing

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

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.

Finally, Dahlia and Mark unpack the thorny and confusing 8-1 decision from the High Court in Chiles v.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

Crypto’s confusing underperformance yet again begs the question: what is it good for?

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Already, there’s plenty of finger-pointing over why this is all so confusing and difficult.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

There’s a labyrinth of restrictions that make HSAs confusing.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

"This verse is more confusing than the last!" exclaimed Allun.

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

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.