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

“Feelings of great distress and helplessness and conflictedness and confusion. I have felt that in classes in high school.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The city is bogged down by confusion and interpretations of newly implemented laws that are being contested,” Ventress said.

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"Perhaps there wasn't enough money, perhaps the money wasn't clear where it was going, but certainly it's been a lot of confusion," he added.

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Travellers are advised to watch out for signs of methanol poisoning such as blurry vision and confusion, which can lead to serious illness and death.

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The Audit Office also found that a lack of clarity about actions being taken, with insufficient planning and excessive consultations, had generated confusion as to which projects were being taken forward.

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Related Words

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