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confusion

noun
con·​fu·​sion | \ kən-ˈfyü-zhən How to pronounce confusion (audio) \

Definition of confusion

1 : an act or instance of confusing confusion of the issue
2a : the quality or state of being confused Try to relieve their confusion. mental confusion
b : a confused mass or mixture a confusion of voices
Other Words from confusion Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about confusion

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Other Words from confusion

confusional \ kən-​ˈfyüzh-​nəl How to pronounce confusional (audio) , -​ˈfyü-​zhə-​nᵊl \ adjective

Examples of confusion in a Sentence

There is still some confusion as to the time of the meeting. There is a great deal of confusion about how the system works. the anxieties and confusions of teenage life He stared in confusion and disbelief. There was total confusion when the truck hit the restaurant.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 However, the confusion was evidently smoothed out because the ban was lifted just last month. — Eamon Barrett, Fortune, "Amid Protests, Hong Kong’s Stock Exchange May Lose Chance at Alibaba Listing—Again," 21 Aug. 2019 But the state has had a big increase in residents crowding into DMVs because of the confusion. — Elaine S. Povich, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland isn’t the only state with a Real ID problem. Glitches and delays are roiling rollout across U.S.," 19 Aug. 2019 The community’s confusion leads to angry confrontations, awkward romantic encounters and a Benny Hill-style chase before brothers are reunited and everybody’s who’s-who questions are answered. — Christopher Arnott, courant.com, "Review: Elm Shakespeare’s ‘Comedy of Errors’ a joyous, joke-based stroll in the park," 19 Aug. 2019 Where the confusion may have arisen is over the player's current salary, a staggering €13m per year. — SI.com, "Philippe Coutinho Loan Fee Revealed as Brazil Star Is Pictured Arriving in Germany for Medical," 18 Aug. 2019 That eliminated some of the potential confusion at the ballot box, with a rival political action committee known as the Cleveland Heights Citizens for Good Government now putting together a campaign to get the strong mayor initiative voted down. — Thomas Jewell, cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga County elections board tunes up Cleveland Heights’ mayoral ballot language," 11 Aug. 2019 And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. — Mary Schmich, chicagotribune.com, "Column: In the ‘noisy confusion of life,’ it’s time to read Toni Morrison and ‘Desiderata.’ And go to the zoo.," 9 Aug. 2019 On Friday, Puerto Ricans bemoaned the confusion that left them not knowing who would be their next governor. — Danica Coto, Anchorage Daily News, "Puerto Rico governor resigns as promised; successor sworn in," 3 Aug. 2019 The confusion of climate change with global warming speaks to just how significant rising global temperatures are to our understanding of climate change. — Lucy Diavolo, Teen Vogue, "June 2019 Was the Hottest June That Climate Scientists Have Ever Recorded," 3 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'confusion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of confusion

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for confusion

Middle English confusioun "ruin, disgrace, disorder," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French confusiun, borrowed from Latin confūsiōn-, confūsiō "mixing, combining, disorder, consternation," from confud-, variant stem of confundere "to pour together, blend, bring into disorder, destroy, disconcert" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at confound

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More Definitions for confusion

confusion

noun
How to pronounce confusion (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of confusion

: a situation in which people are uncertain about what to do or are unable to understand something clearly
: the feeling that you have when you do not understand what is happening, what is expected, etc.
: a state or situation in which many things are happening in a way that is not controlled or orderly

See the full definition for confusion in the English Language Learners Dictionary

confusion

noun
con·​fu·​sion | \ kən-ˈfyü-zhən How to pronounce confusion (audio) \

Kids Definition of confusion

1 : difficulty in understanding or in being able to tell one thing from a similar thing
2 : a feeling or state of uncertainty

confusion

noun
con·​fu·​sion | \ kən-ˈfyü-zhən How to pronounce confusion (audio) \

Medical Definition of confusion

: disturbance of consciousness characterized by inability to engage in orderly thought or by lack of power to distinguish, choose, or act decisively

Other Words from confusion

confusional \ -​zhnəl, -​zhən-​ᵊl How to pronounce confusional (audio) \ adjective

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