confusion

[kuhn-fyoo-zhuhn]

noun

1. the act of confusing. confusing.

2. the state of being confused.

   Synonyms: distraction

3. disorder; upheaval; tumult; chaos.

   The army retreated in confusion.

   Synonyms: disarray, mess, jumble, turmoil

4. lack of clearness or distinctness.

   a confusion in his mind between right and wrong.

5. perplexity; bewilderment.

   The more difficult questions left us in complete confusion.

6. embarrassment or abashment.

   He blushed in confusion.

   Synonyms: mortification, shame

7. Psychiatry.,  a disturbed mental state; disorientation.

8. Archaic.,  defeat, overthrow, or ruin.

confusion

/ kənˈfjuːʒən /

noun

1. the act of confusing or the state of being confused

2. disorder; jumble

3. bewilderment; perplexity

4. lack of clarity; indistinctness

5. embarrassment; abashment

Other Word Forms

• confusional adjective
• preconfusion noun
• reconfusion noun
• superconfusion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of confusion¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin confūsiōn-, stem of confūsiō “disorder, mixture,” literally “a mixing,” from confūs(us) “mixed” (past participle of cōnfundere; confound ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

The uncertainty and confusion in the Scottish ranks was not just alarming, it looked like it was going to be fatal to their World Cup dream.

Read more on BBC

“Our biggest concern is the confusion,” said Chance Wilcox, California desert program manager for the parks association.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

These handouts lacked any accountability or eligibility requirements, opening them up to fraud, waste and mass confusion that lined the pockets of insurance companies and brokers, and failing Americans who need help.

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He asked anyone affected to seek medical attention and listed symptoms from fatigue to vertigo, seizures, confusion, tightness in chest and heart palpitations.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Some former CDC leaders said a shift away from a central, authoritative voice in public health could cause confusion.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• anarchy 
• chaos 
• complexity 
• complication 
• consternation 
• difficulty 
• disarray 
• dislocation 
• distraction 
• mistake 
• trouble 
• turmoil 
• upheaval