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

They include “unexplained withdrawals or transfers from bank accounts; sudden changes to wills, trusts or beneficiary designations; bills going unpaid; confusion about financial transactions; isolation from family members or reluctance to discuss money.”

Read more on MarketWatch

For a brief moment, we have Hamnet’s perspective, but it is just that: brief, only enough time to watch Jupe’s bright, cherubic expression replaced by fear and confusion.

Read more on Salon

When influencers don't disclose the use of AI - it can cause confusion.

Read more on BBC

As with the adoption of Casual Fridays, the first sally in the contemporary battle for comfort, there remains confusion as to what exactly constitutes acceptable office attire.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some confusion follows between Voloshyn and Gill about how much cash Gill had been given.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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