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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

 Johnson’s announcement was accompanied by some confusion. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, "Boris Johnson Takes on Parliament—and Loses," 4 Sep. 2019 Because the comment led to confusion it was replaced. — Skyler Swisher, sun-sentinel.com, "Hurricane Dorian turned away from Florida due to ‘power of the mind,' Democratic presidential hopeful suggests," 4 Sep. 2019 Bud acted out as his mind descended into confusion. — Vic Ryckaert, Indianapolis Star, "The World War II vet was held captive by an escapee. Then he became someone else.," 3 Sep. 2019 Brexit has generated general confusion over train travel between the United Kingdom and the Continent. — Los Angeles Times, "Off the rails: How Brexit threatens a popular travel program for young Britons," 3 Sep. 2019 Visual depictions of information can help clarify the uncertainty—or compound confusion. — Jessica Hullman, Scientific American, "How to Get Better at Embracing Unknowns," 3 Sep. 2019 That confusion came up when he was later given a point penalty — which gave Schwartzman a game point to go up by 5-2 in the third set — for swearing at the people in his box. — David Waldstein, New York Times, "Schwartzman Beats Zverev, but Struggles With What Comes Next," 2 Sep. 2019 When Choi informs him that the dish involves a pork sauce, Rogen expresses confusion. — Lauren Huff, EW.com, "Watch Seth Rogen attempt to cook chicken in The Chef Show clip," 2 Sep. 2019 With a new system developed by an expert in pre-hospital pediatrics, emergency medical service providers and medical professionals like Cypress Creek EMS and Memorial Hermann can now save child patients faster and with less confusion. — Chevall Pryce, Houston Chronicle, "System helps northwest Houston medical professionals assess children faster," 30 Aug. 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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