confusion
[kuh n-fyoo-zhuh n]
- the act of confusing.
- the state of being confused.
- disorder; upheaval; tumult; chaos: The army retreated in confusion.
- lack of clearness or distinctness: a confusion in his mind between right and wrong.
- perplexity; bewilderment: The more difficult questions left us in complete confusion.
- embarrassment or abashment: He blushed in confusion.
- Psychiatry. a disturbed mental state; disorientation.
- Archaic. defeat, overthrow, or ruin.
Show More
Origin of confusion
Synonyms
See more synonyms for confusion on Thesaurus.com2. distraction. 3. turmoil, jumble, mess, disarray. 6. shame, mortification.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for confusion
Contemporary Examples
Despite its ranking at the bottom of most international development indexes, the conflict is shrouded by confusion.
Bohac vowed to that when he came back next year there would be no confusion about any Christmas tree or Santa aprons.
Putin may very well be the last optimist left in the country, which is facing a time of confusion and disappointment.
There was confusion because our fathers were no longer going to work.
Her own muddled feelings of confusion, shame, and fear are what make the essay great and what make the essay her story.
Historical Examples
Proclus was covered with confusion, but still seemed half incredulous.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
"He hadn't long to live, anyway," answered the marshal in some confusion.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
Sidney arrived a little after six, and from that moment the confusion in the sick-room was at an end.
KMary Roberts Rinehart
He started and turned to me a face of confusion—yes, and of worship.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
Yes, they were like an army of ants that had been suddenly thrown into confusion.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
confusion
- the act of confusing or the state of being confused
- disorder; jumble
- bewilderment; perplexity
- lack of clarity; indistinctness
- embarrassment; abashment
Show More
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
Word Origin and History for confusion
n.
late 13c., "overthrow, ruin," from Old French confusion (11c.) "disorder, confusion, shame," from Latin confusionem (nominative confusio) "a mingling, mixing, blending; confusion, disorder," noun of action from confundere "to pour together," also "to confuse" (see confound). Sense of "a putting to shame" (a sort of mental "overthrow") is late 14c. in English, while that of "mental perplexity" is from 1590s.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
confusion
(kən-fyōō′zhən)- Impaired orientation with respect to time, place, or person; a disturbed mental state.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.