confuse

The word “confuse” means to make someone unable to understand or think clearly. In plain terms, to muddle someone's understanding, or to mix two things up.

“Confuse” is pronounced kuhn-FYOOZ (/kənˈfjuz/ in IPA).

Here is “confuse” used in a sentence: “The conflicting instructions confused everyone in the meeting.”

Words with a similar meaning to “confuse” include flummox, mistake, addle, baffle, vex and lose.

The opposite of “confuse” — its antonyms — are clarify, distinguish, enlighten, inspire and judicate.

“Confuse” is a verb.

The word “confuse” comes from Latin. A back-formation from "confused", ultimately from Latin confundere ("to pour together, mix up").

“Confuse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

Both words can mean to make someone unable to think clearly, but "confound" often implies a deeper level of astonishment or being thoroughly baffled, sometimes to the point of surprise. "Confuse" is the more everyday, general term for making someone unable to understand or think clearly.

The standard construction is "confuse X with Y" when mistaking one thing for another, as in "people often confuse sympathy with pity." "Confuse for" is less standard and generally avoided in careful writing.

"Confuse" can mean to make someone feel embarrassed or flustered, but its primary sense is making someone unable to think clearly, while "embarrass" specifically refers to causing discomfort or self-consciousness. The two overlap when confusion itself causes someone to feel flustered in front of others.