Confusion — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /kən-ˈfyü-zhən/ con·fu·sion

Meaning & Definition of Confusion

Confusion (noun)

  1. an act or instance of confusing
  2. the quality or state of being confused
  3. a confused mass or mixture

Confusion (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a state of mental uncertainty

    "the farmer's driving directions to the fairground just left us in total confusion"

    similar: bafflement, bamboozlement, befuddlement, bemusement, bewilderedness, bewilderment, confusedness, discombobulation, distraction, fog, head-scratching, maze (chiefly dialect), muddle, mystification, perplexity, puzzlement, tangle, whirl
    related: abashment, discomfiture, disconcertment, embarrassment, mortification, agitation, chagrin, discomfort, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturbance, perturbation, upset, bother, commotion, dither, flurry, fluster, fuss, stew, turmoil
    near: assurance, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, positiveness, sureness

  2. a state in which everything is out of order

    "it was hard to find anything in that confusion in the attic"

    similar: chance-medley, chaos, disarrangement, disarray, dishevelment, disorder, disorderedness, disorderliness, disorganization, free-for-all, havoc, heck, hell, jumble, mare's nest, mess, messiness, misorder, muddle, muss, shambles, snake pit, tumble, welter
    related: anarchy, lawlessness, misrule, riot, knot, snarl, tangle, labyrinth, maze, web, maelstrom, storm, bollix, clutter, litter, mishmash, shuffle, hodgepodge, medley, miscellany, morass, motley
    opposite: order, orderliness
    near: method, pattern, plan, system

  3. the emotional state of being made self-consciously uncomfortable

    "thrown into speechless confusion by the wild accusations"

    similar: abashment, discomfiture, disconcertment, embarrassment, fluster, mortification, egg on one's face
    related: agitation, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discomposure, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturbance, perturbation, unease, uneasiness, upset, disgrace, ignominy, shame, debasement, degradation, humiliation, humble pie
    near: aplomb, assurance, composure, confidence, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-assurance, self-confidence, self-possession

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Confusion

The most common words with a similar meaning to Confusion:

Chiefly dialect: maze
bafflement, bamboozlement, befuddlement, bemusement, bewilderedness, bewilderment, confusedness, discombobulation, distraction, fog, head-scratching, muddle, mystification, perplexity, puzzlement, tangle, whirl, chance-medley, chaos, disarrangement, disarray, dishevelment, disorder, disorderedness, disorderliness, disorganization, free-for-all, havoc, heck, hell, jumble, mare's nest, mess, messiness, misorder, muss, shambles, snake pit, tumble, welter

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Confusion

Words with the opposite meaning of Confusion:

order, orderliness

Related Words for Confusion

agitation, chagrin, discomfort, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturbance, perturbation, upset, bother, commotion, dither, flurry, fuss, stew, turmoil, anarchy, lawlessness, misrule, riot, knot, snarl, labyrinth, web, maelstrom, storm, bollix, clutter, litter, mishmash

Near Antonyms of Confusion

assurance, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, positiveness, sureness, method, pattern, plan, system, aplomb, composure, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-assurance, self-confidence, self-possession

Word Forms of Confusion

Derived words: confusional (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of 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 confound

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Confusion

What does "Confusion" mean?

"Confusion" means an act or instance of confusing. As a noun, it is defined as: an act or instance of confusing. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Confusion"?

Other words for "Confusion" include bafflement, bamboozlement, befuddlement, bemusement, bewilderedness, bewilderment, confusedness and discombobulation. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Confusion" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Confusion"?

There are 94 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Confusion". Common alternatives include bafflement, bamboozlement, befuddlement, bemusement, bewilderedness, bewilderment, confusedness, discombobulation, distraction and fog.

What is the opposite of "Confusion"?

Antonyms of "Confusion" include order and orderliness. Near antonyms include assurance, certainty, certitude and confidence.

How do you use "Confusion" in a sentence?

Examples of "Confusion" in a sentence: "the farmer's driving directions to the fairground just left us in total confusion"; "it was hard to find anything in that confusion in the attic"; "thrown into speechless confusion by the wild accusations".

Is "Confusion" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Confusion" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Confusion"?

"Confusion" is pronounced /kən-ˈfyü-zhən/ and divided into syllables as con·fu·sion.

What is the origin of the word "Confusion"?

"Confusion" comes from 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 confound. First known use: 14th century.