disorientate

American  

[dis-awr-ee-uhn-teyt, -ohr-] / dɪsˈɔr i ənˌteɪt, -ˈoʊr- /

verb (used with object)

disorientated, disorientating

1. to disorient.

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disorientate British  

/ dɪsˈɔːrɪənˌteɪt /

verb

1. to cause (someone) to lose his bearings

2. to perplex; confuse

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Other Word Forms

• disorientation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of disorientate

First recorded in 1695–1705; dis- ¹ + orientate

Example Sentences

The actors' use of Classical French and historically faithful declamation could however disorientate some viewers.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Ukraine has for years deployed a variety of electronic systems that disorientate the navigation systems used by Shaheds to lock onto and fly towards their targets.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

Daniele Clifford, marine conservation officer for The Wildlife Trusts, said the noise from wind farms can disorientate some species.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2021

In “The Thin Place,” Waters exploits design elements to disorientate the audience.

From New York Times • Jan. 2, 2020

Artists like to disorientate their viewers, to shift the position and scale of otherwise banal subjects so they appear strangely unfamiliar.

From The Guardian • Jul. 8, 2011