Is the word confused an adjective

The only common factor about adjectives, adverbs and verbs is that, all of them are parts of speech. This article will tell us “confused” falls under which of them.

“Confused” is an adjective and a verb. A word which modifies, interrogates, demonstrates, or quantifies a naming word is an adjective. A word which depicts action or activity that has happened, is happening or will happen is a verb. “Confused” generally means being unclear, disoriented, chaotic etc.

We shall explore in this article, the usage of the word “confused” as an adjective and as a verb with some examples and related explanations.

Since we already sure of the fact that “confused” can be an adjective, let us here analyze the instances when (places where) the word “confused” can be an adjective.

The following tabular column will explain in detail the various situations in which the word “confused” takes up the role of an adjective.

Situations When “Confused” Is An Adjective Examples Explanations
1. Used to describe a state where one is not able to think or understand something clearly. The board is still confused about the actions that have to be taken. In this sentence, the adjective “confused” is modifying the noun “board” (collective noun – board of members).

“Confused” here depicts that the board is not able to think and decide about the actions that have to be taken.

2. Used to describe a person or a situation, or a thing that is unclear or not easily understandable. Vittal gave a confused picture of the entire scene. In this sentence, the adjective “confused” is qualifying the naming word “picture” (a thing).

Adjective, “confused” here shows us that the description or the picture that Vittal gave about the entire scene was quite unclear and difficult to understand.  

3. Used to indicate someone or something that has no order, sequence or pattern The confused structure of the house made it look like a maze. The adjective “confused” in the given sentenceis qualifying the naming word “structure” (a thing – of the house).

Adjective, “confused” in this sentence, indicates to us the disorderedly built pattern or structure of the house that makes the house more or like a puzzle.  

4. Used to denote the disoriented state of mind of an individual due to bewilderment, disturbance or even of old age. Our grandfather looked confused when he was not able to identify us. In this sentence, the adjective “confused” is modifying the naming word “grandfather” (a person).

“Confused” here is used to portray the disoriented state of mind of the grandfather when he was unable to remember or identify us.

Situations When “Confused” Is An Adjective

Is “confused” a descriptive adjective?

Depending upon the way in which they modify the naming words, adjectives are categorized into various types. Let us find out whether “confused” is a descriptive adjective.

The word “confused” is a descriptive adjective. Descriptive adjective are the adjectives which give us extra information on the characteristic features, state of mind, quality, nature, color, behavior, size, shape, smell, taste etc of an individual, thing, animal, or place (nouns / noun phrases).

Example: Sukanya had a confused look when she saw the photo.

In this sentence, the word “confused” is an adjective. In particular, “confused” is a descriptive adjective that modifies the noun “look”. Here, the descriptive adjective “confused” tell us about the nature of Sukanya’s look (noun) which is a portrayal of her state of mind. Here, “confused” refers to Sukanya not being able to understand something clearly.

When is “confused” a descriptive adjective?

“Confused” is a descriptive adjective when it is qualifying the unclear, disoriented, difficulty in understanding, or disorderly state of mind, behavior, or nature of a singular/ plural noun. Both as subject adjective and as predicate adjective, “confused” can function as a descriptive adjective.

Let us now peruse the list of examples in the following tabular column in order to understand the usage of “confused” as a descriptive adjective.

Examples Usage Of “Confused” As A Descriptive Adjective Explanations
1. Sundar gave a confused explanation while explaining the problem in the class.  The descriptive adjective “confused” gives us extra and additional details about the naming word “explanation” (a thing).
 
Here, “confused” is used to tell us about the unclear and difficult to understand nature of the explanation that Sundar gave while explaining the problem in the class.
Since, the adjective “confused” is positioned in front of the predicate noun “explanation” that it is qualifying, in this sentence, it is a predicate adjective.
2. Her confused state of mind is due to the sudden changes that happened in her life in an overnight. In this sentence, the descriptive adjective “confused” is providing us with additional details about the naming word “state of mind”.
 
“Confused” here is used to depict to us the bewildered, chaotic or disoriented state of mind of her which is due to the sudden changes in her life.
As the descriptive adjective “confused” here, is placed before (in front of) the subject noun “state of mind”,  which it is qualifying, it can be known as a subject adjective.
3. The confused guard did not know what to tell when he was interrogated by the policemen. Here, in the given sentence, the descriptive adjective “confused” istelling us more additional details about the naming word “guard” (a person).
 
The usage of descriptive adjective “courageous” denotes to us the unclear or not able to think state of mind of the guard at the time when he was interrogated by the policemen.
Since, the descriptive adjective “courageous” here is describing the nature of the noun “guard” which is a part of the subject of the sentence; it can be more specifically regarded as a subject adjective. It
4. We are confused about what topic we should choose for our project. “Confused”, the descriptive adjective in this sentence, describes the naming word (noun) “we” (people), by giving us additional and extra information regarding them.
“Confused” here, is utilized to indicate to us that “we” are still not clear or still not decided or come to a conclusion on what should be their topic for project. 
Here, in this sentence, the descriptive adjective “confused” is acting as the subject complement of the subject noun (noun) “we”, thereby positioned in the predicate and thus making it a predicate adjective.
5. I am still confused by whatever Ruhi told me this morning. Here, the descriptive adjective “confused” is providing us additional supplementary details about the naming word “I” (a person).
 
The descriptive adjective “courageous” is utilized in this sentence to denote to us the unclear nature or state of mind of “I” that is caused by listening to what Ruhi told him / her.  
Here, in the given sentence, the descriptive adjective “confused” is utilized in the predicate of the sentence, thus making it a predicate adjective. It is also functioning as the subject complement of the noun in the subject (subject compliment) “I”.
Usage Of “Confused” As A Descriptive Adjective

Is “confused” an adverb?

Sometimes one word can belong to more than one part of speech based on its functionalities and usages. We shall here find out, if the word “confused” can be an adverb.

“Confused” is not an adverb. An adverb aids to modify or qualify an action, a describing word or other adverbs. While, the word “confusedly” is an adverb as it qualifies an action that is unclear, difficult to understand, the word “confused” is not an adverb as it is the adjective and verb form.

Example 1: Subhatra appeared confused when I saw her this morning.

Example 2: The discussion ended confusedly.

In example 1, “confused” is not an adverb as it is not modifying any action or describing word. However, “confused” is an adjective as it is used to modify the naming word “Subhatra” (a person), by providing us extra details about the disoriented, unclear nature of Subhatra. In example 2, “confusedly” is an adverb, as it is modifying the verb “ended” by telling how (in an unclear way) the discussion ended.

Is “confused” a verb?

Earlier we saw that the word “confused” can be an adjective while modifying the naming words. Here we will get to know, if it can be a verb.

The word “confused” can be a verb. Any word which represents an action or an activity that had already taken place, is taking place or will take place in the future is called a verb. The verb “confused” is the past tense and the past participle form of the base verb “confuse”.

Example: Rama confused all of us yesterday.

In the above sentence, the word “confused” is acting as a verb in the past tense, since it is representing an action or activity of making something unclear and hard to comprehend and understand.

When is “confused” a verb?

The word “confused” is a verb in the past tense or in the past participle form when it is used along with an object (receiver of the action). It is used to make something hard, complicated, and difficult to comprehend or to make someone not understand something by making them unclear about it.

To have a better and clear understanding about how and when “confused” is used as a verb, let us go through the following tabular column that consists of examples.

Examples Usage Of “Confused” As A Verb Explanations
1. He has confused himself and also us. In this sentence, the verb “confused” is used in the past participle form along with the object “himself”. The verb “confused” in this sentence portrays that “he” had done the action of complicating something to both himself and us.
2. They confused me by showing the old entries along with the new entries. Here, in this sentence, the verb “confused” is used in the simple past tense along with the object “me”. In the given sentence, the verb “confused” is representing “they” doing the action of making “me” unclear about something by showing the old entries along with the new entries.
3. The presentation confused us so much as the data was all wrong. The verb “confused” is utilized in the simple past tense followed by the object “us” in this sentence. In this sentence, the verb “confused” is utilized to tell that the presentation has caused us to not understand or make it difficult for us to understand since the data in the presentation was all wrong.
4. The continuous questions Rupali asked had confused the teacher. The verb “confused” in this sentence, is utilized in the past perfect tense followed by the object “teacher” in this sentence. The verb “confused” in this sentence represents that “Rupali” with her continuous questions had done the action of complicating or making it unclear for the teacher. 
5. Sonam’s nature, behavior, and sudden change in mood always confused Rama to a great extent. Here, the verb “confused” is utilized in the simple past tense succeeded by the object “Rama” who is the receiver of the action. In this given sentence, the verb “confused” is showcasing us the action of Sonam bewildering Rama with her nature, behavior, and sudden change in mood
Usage Of “Confused” As A Verb

Conclusion

This article, thus explains in detail the usage of the word “confused” both as an adjective and a verb and also tells us why it is cannot be considered as an adverb.

  • 1
    confused

    confused [kənˊfju:zd]

    1) смущённый;

    2) спу́танный;

    Англо-русский словарь Мюллера > confused

  • 2
    confused

    Персональный Сократ > confused

  • 3
    confused

    Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь > confused

  • 4
    confused

    Англо-русский синонимический словарь > confused

  • 5
    confused

    [kənʹfju:zd]

    1. смущённый; поставленный в тупик

    to become confused — смутиться, прийти в замешательство

    2. спутанный; смешанный

    НБАРС > confused

  • 6
    confused

    (of confuse)

    1) смущенный; to become confused смутиться, спутаться

    2) спутанный; confused mass беспорядочная масса; confused tale бессвязный рассказ; confused answer туманный ответ

    * * *

    (a) поставленный в тупик; смешанный; смущенный; спутанный

    * * *

    смущенный; озадаченный; поставленный в тупик

    * * *

    [con’fused || -zd]
    смущенный, поставленный в тупик, спутанный, сбивчивый, беспорядочный

    * * *

    смущаться

    спутанный

    * * *

    1) смущенный; озадаченный; поставленный в тупик, сбитый с толку
    2) спутанный

    Новый англо-русский словарь > confused

  • 7
    confused

    1. a смущённый; поставленный в тупик

    2. a спутанный; смешанный

    Синонимический ряд:

    1. chaotic (adj.) chaotic; embroiled; in disarray; inextricable; mixed up; out of order; snarled

    2. jumbled (adj.) disordered; helter-skelter; jumbled; mixed-up; muddled; topsy-turvy; upside-down

    3. perplexed (adj.) abashed; addled; baffled; befuddled; bewildered; dazed; disconcerted; doubtful; flustered; perplexed

    4. beclouded (verb) beclouded; befogged; blurred; clouded; fogged; muddied

    5. discomforted (verb) abashed; chagrined; discomfited; discomforted; disconcerted; discountenanced; embarrassed; fazed; mortified; put out; rattled

    6. disordered (verb) confused; disordered; fouled up; jumbled; mess up; muddled; scrambled; snarled; snarled up; tumbled

    7. misrepresented (verb) belied; colored; distorted; falsified; garbled; misrepresented; misstated; perverted; twisted; warped; wrenched; wrested

    8. mistook/mistaken (verb) confounded; mistook/mistaken; mixed; mixed up

    9. threw (verb) addled; balled up; befuddled; bewildered; confused; distracted; dizzied; flustered; fuddled; mistaken; mix up; mulled; perplexed; posed; puzzled; stumbled; threw; threw off/thrown off; threw out/thrown out

    English-Russian base dictionary > confused

  • 8
    confused

    [kən’fjuːzd]

    прил.

    1) смущённый; озадаченный; поставленный в тупик, сбитый с толку; поражённый

    I was confused to learn of his latest decision. — Я пришёл в замешательство, когда узнал о его последнем решении.

    Syn:

    2) спутанный, беспорядочный; сбивчивый

    Syn:

    Англо-русский современный словарь > confused

  • 9
    confused

    English-russian dctionary of diplomacy > confused

  • 10
    confused

    [kən’fjuːzd]

    1) Общая лексика: бессвязный, бестолковый, в замешательстве, перепутанный, поставленный в тупик, путанный, растерянный, сбивчивый, сбитый с толку, смешанный, смущённый, спутанный, туманный, сумбурный , расхристанный, в недоумении

    Универсальный англо-русский словарь > confused

  • 11
    confused

    miserably confused — готовый провалиться сквозь землю

    English-Russian phrases dictionary > confused

  • 12
    confused

    kənˈfju:zdпоставленный в тупик, спутанный

    Англо-русский словарь экономических терминов > confused

  • 13
    confused

    English-Russian dictionary of geology > confused

  • 14
    confused

    1) напутанный

    2) беспорядочный
    3) сбивчивый

    Англо-русский технический словарь > confused

  • 15
    confused

    [kən`fjuːzd]

    смущенный; озадаченный; поставленный в тупик, сбитый с толку; пораженный

    спутанный, беспорядочный; сбивчивый

    Англо-русский большой универсальный переводческий словарь > confused

  • 16
    confused

    Англо-русский дипломатический словарь > confused

  • 17
    confused

    Англо-русский словарь по психоаналитике > confused

  • 18
    confused

    смущенный; спутанный; беспорядочный; сбивчивый

    English-Russian dictionary of technical terms > confused

  • 19
    confused

    English-Russian smart dictionary > confused

  • 20
    confused

    усл. ркт.

    «отдельные цели не опознаются»

    Englsh-Russian aviation and space dictionary > confused

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См. также в других словарях:

  • confused — adj. 1. same as {confounded}; as, bewildered and confused. Syn: at sea, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, confounded, mazed, mixed up. [WordNet 1.5] 2. lacking orderly continuity. Syn: disconnected, disjointed, disordered, disorganized, desultory,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • confused — early 14c., discomfited, routed, defeated (of groups), serving at first as an alternative pp. of CONFOUND (Cf. confound), as Latin confusus was the pp. of confundere to pour together, mix, mingle; to join together; hence, figuratively, to throw… …   Etymology dictionary

  • confused — [adj1] disoriented mentally abashed, addled, at a loss*, at sea*, at sixes and sevens*, baffled, befuddled, bewildered, come apart*, dazed, discombobulated*, disconcerted, disorganized, distracted, flummoxed, flustered, fouled up*, glassy eyed*,… …   New thesaurus

  • confused — index ambiguous, complex, deranged, disjointed, disordered, disorderly, haphazard, inextricable, lost ( …   Law dictionary

  • confused — ► ADJECTIVE 1) bewildered. 2) lacking order and so difficult to understand or distinguish. DERIVATIVES confusedly adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • confused — adj. VERBS ▪ appear, be, feel, look, seem, sound ▪ become, get ▪ He was beginning to get rather confused …   Collocations dictionary

  • confused */*/ — UK [kənˈfjuːzd] / US [kənˈfjuzd] adjective Metaphor: Being confused is like being lost or being in the wrong place or position. You ve lost me. What do you mean? ♦ I was completely at sea: it was all so new to me. ♦ I felt adrift and alone, with… …   English dictionary

  • confused — con|fused [ kən fjuzd ] adjective ** 1. ) unable to understand something or think clearly about it: She was starting to feel a bit confused. confused about: I m still a little confused about what happened. totally/utterly/thoroughly/hopelessly… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • confused — adjective 1. perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment (Freq. 5) obviously bemused by his questions bewildered and confused a cloudy and confounded philosopher just a mixed up kid she felt lost on the first… …   Useful english dictionary

  • confused — con|fused S3 [kənˈfju:zd] adj [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: confus, from Latin confusus, past participle of confundere; CONFOUND] 1.) unable to understand or think clearly what someone is saying or what is happening ▪ I m totally… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • confused — [[t]kənfju͟ːzd[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED: oft ADJ about/by n If you are confused, you do not know exactly what is happening or what to do. A survey showed people were confused about what they should eat to stay healthy… Things were happening too… …   English dictionary

спутанный, смущенный, сбивчивый, беспорядочный, поставленный в тупик

прилагательное

- смущённый; поставленный в тупик

to become confused — смутиться, прийти в замешательство

- спутанный; смешанный

confused sounds — неясные звуки
confused account — запутанный отчёт
confused statement — сбивчивое заявление

Мои примеры

Словосочетания

They confused increased equipment and expenditure with the quantity of effective work done. — Они спутали рост количества оборудования и расходов с количеством реально выполненной работы.  
confused by the embedded Latin quotations — в смущении от включённых туда латинских цитат  
confused babble — смущённое бормотание  
be confused — заговаривать; заминаться; сбиваться  
become confused — прийти в замешательство; застыдиться; спутаться  
confused answer — туманный ответ  
confused consciousness — спутанность сознания  
confused current — беспорядочное течение  
confused idea — путаное представление  
confused impressions — противоречивые впечатления  
get confused — перепутываться; запутываться; путаться  
in a confused way — спутанно; невнятно  

Примеры с переводом

I’ve never been so confused.

Я никогда не был в таком замешательстве.

She looked a wee bit confused.

Она выглядела немножко растерянной.

We’re confused about what to do next.

Мы запутались: не знаем, что делать дальше.

If you’re confused about anything, phone me.

Если вы в чём то запутались, позвоните мне.

She felt hopelessly confused.

Она чувствовала себя безнадёжно смущённой.

Never had she been so confused.

Никогда она не была так смущена.

I was confused to learn of his latest decision.

Я пришёл в замешательство, когда узнал о его последнем решении.

ещё 18 примеров свернуть

Примеры, ожидающие перевода

He gave a confused speech denying the accusations.

He felt confused and hopeless after losing his job.

My aunt, it grieves me to say, gets things confused.

Для того чтобы добавить вариант перевода, кликните по иконке , напротив примера.

Возможные однокоренные слова

confusedly  — смущенно, беспорядочно, в замешательстве, в смущении, в беспорядке
confusion  — путаница, замешательство, беспорядок, смятение, беспорядки, смущение, неразбериха
confusing  — смущать, смешивать, сбивать с толку, спутывать, создавать путаницу
confusable  — очень похожий, с трудом различимый, ведущий к путанице

  • #1

Hi
Which of the following is acceptable?
1) I have something confused.
2) I have something confusing.
3) I have something about which I am confused.
Thanks

    • #2

    1) Sounds VERY odd when just the word «something» is used, but I guess it is possible (in very limited contexts):
    I have a confused way of walking. (I walk like I’m confused)
    I have a confused girlfriend and a birthday cake containing a half-naked woman.

    Here are some other examples of correct use of «confused»:
    I have a confused man at my door, or
    I have confused my cat by waving at it.

    2) Ok. «I have» is best used if you really possess the confusing thing, or it is something you brought to someone, etc.
    I have a confusing riddle for you.
    I have a confusing way of explaining things.

    3) Ok. It is better to say
    There is something I am confused about.

    Last edited: Jun 4, 2014

    • #3

    1) Doesn’t work.

    These are some examples of correct use of «confused»:
    I have a confused man at my door, or
    I have confused my cat by waving at it.

    2) Ok. «I have» is best used if you really possess the confusing thing, or it is something you brought to a discussion, for example.
    I have a confusing riddle for you.
    I have a confusing way of explaining things.

    3) Ok. It is better to say
    There is something I am confused about.

    I agree with you, but here, I would like to know something:How to change the simple sentence ‘I have a confused account’ into complex sentence? When changed, it will be: I have an account which is confused. Doesn’t it work? If it works, can I omit ‘which is’ ? Then ‘I have an account confused’ ?

    • #4

    How to change the simple sentence ‘I have a confused account’ into complex sentence? When changed, it will be: I have an account which is confused. Doesn’t it work? If it works, can I omit ‘which is’ ? Then ‘I have an account confused’ ?

    I have an account which is confused.

    This sentence doesn’t make sense to me. An account can’t normally be in a confused state, unless it is you who are confusing it with something else, as in:

    I have an account confused with another person’s account.

    I have an account confused does not work at all.
    I have a confused account would work, but only if the expression «a confused account» made any sense. It doesn’t. Perhaps if «account» is taken in the sense of «version of events/retelling», it could be used.

    Perhaps this is what is *confusing* you about the usage:

    «I have it confused (with something)» means —> I have mistaken it for something else.
    «I have a confused (thing)» means —> The thing I have is confused.
    «I have/got (something) confused» (used with people and animals only) means —> I am the cause (something) is confused.

    NOTE: Feel free to ask more questions about things that are unclear to you about this. I would like to help you without going into such a broad discussion, but I would have to understand which usage of «confused» and «confusing» you don’t understand.

    Last edited: Jun 4, 2014

    • #5

    I have an account which is confused.

    This sentence doesn’t make sense to me. An account can’t normally be in a confused state, unless it is you who are confusing it with something else, as in:

    I have an account confused with another person’s account.

    I have an account confused does not work at all.
    I have a confused account would work, but only if the expression «a confused account» made any sense. It doesn’t. Perhaps if «account» is taken in the sense of «version of events/retelling», it could be used.

    Perhaps this is what is *confusing* you about the usage:

    «I have it confused (with something)» means —> I have mistaken it for something else.
    «I have a confused (thing)» means —> The thing I have is confused.
    «I have/got (something) confused» (used with people and animals only) means —> I am the cause (something) is confused.

    NOTE: Feel free to ask more questions about things that are unclear to you about this. I would like to help you without going into such a broad discussion, but I would have to understand which usage of «confused» and «confusing» you don’t understand.

    In ‘a confused word’ , ‘confused’ qualifies the ‘word’ attributively so why can’t the ‘word’ be qualified by ‘confused’ predicatively as: a word is confused.

    • #6

    In ‘a confused word’ , ‘confused’ qualifies the ‘word’ attributively so why can’t the ‘word’ be qualified by ‘confused’ predicatively as: a word is confused.

    This is a problem of meaning, not of grammar.

    «a confused Maria» and «Maria is confused» both work, but,
    «a confused tree» and «a tree that’s confused» do not work (unless you are personifying the tree, or confusing it with something else.

    The adjective «confused» means a state which is characteristic of living things. The possibilities of its attribution to non-living things are very limited. The only case where it may be used regardless of what the word you are modifying means is this:

    «I have it/him/her confused with something/someone.»

    Otherwise you have to make sure the word «takes» (can go with) that adjective.

    Also, both the attributive and predicative use of confused work (if the word «takes» the adjective «confusing»).

    I might have an idea of what the problem is for you:

    1) I have Maria confused ()
    2) I have a confused Maria.
    3) I have confused Maria.

    Those 3 mean completely different things. Only 2) is the attributive use you are referring to.

    1) doesn’t work unless
    a) you have her confused with someone else, or
    b) you got her confused (you caused her to be confused). i think the word «got» has to be used, however.

    3) is not attributive, it is a present perfect form of «confuse».

    I hope that helps.

    Last edited: Jun 4, 2014

    • #7

    Hi
    Which of the following is acceptable?
    1) I have something confused.
    2) I have something confusing.
    3) I have something about which I am confused.
    Thanks

    Sentence 1 does «work» — in certain contexts — to mean «I am confused». Here is an entirely natural exchange in AE:

    • Alice: «I’m going to go to my appointment at 3pm.»
    • Bob: «But Timmy has soccer practice today, and you told me earlier you planned to drive him there at 3pm.»
    • Alice: «Ah, you’re right, I did say that. I have something confused.»

    This would be a way for Alice to say «I am confused about my own schedule.»

    If you are confused about something, you can’t think clearly. If your new friend keeps impossibly showing up in different outfits, you’ll be confused until you discover she has an identical twin.

    Confuse is a modern verb, the old form being confound which means «to bring to ruin or disorder.» When you are confused, what’s ruined is your sense of the order of things. If you return to a city where you used to live, and a dog grooming store has replaced your apartment and a dump has replaced the park, you’ll feel emotionally confused. If you think that Tom is Harry and Harry is Tom, you’ve confused them in your mind.

    Definitions of confused

    1. adjective

      mentally confused; unable to think with clarity or act intelligently

      “the flood of questions left her bewildered and
      confused

      Synonyms:

      addlebrained, addlepated, muddleheaded, puddingheaded

      stupid and confused

      addled, befuddled, muddled, muzzy, woolly, woolly-headed, wooly, wooly-minded

      confused and vague; used especially of thinking

      befogged, befuddled

      stupefied by alcoholic drink

      clouded

      mentally disordered

      dazed, stunned, stupefied, stupid

      in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock

      dazzled

      stupefied or dizzied by something overpowering

      trancelike

      as if in a trance

      punch-drunk, silly, slaphappy

      dazed from or as if from repeated blows

      spaced-out

      confused or disoriented as if intoxicated through taking a drug

      perplexed

      full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment

    2. adjective

      perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment

      synonyms:

      at sea, baffled, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, confounded, lost, mazed, mixed-up

      perplexed

      full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment

    3. adjective

      having lost your bearings; confused as to time or place or personal identity

      synonyms:

      disoriented, lost

      unoriented

      not having position or goal definitely set or ascertained

    4. adjective

      lacking orderly continuity

      “a
      confused set of instructions”

      “a
      confused dream about the end of the world”

      synonyms:

      disconnected, disjointed, disordered, garbled, illogical, scattered, unconnected

      incoherent

      without logical or meaningful connection

    5. adjective

      thrown into a state of disarray or confusion

      “a
      confused mass of papers on the desk”

      synonyms:

      broken, disordered, upset

      disorganised, disorganized

      lacking order or methodical arrangement or function

    DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘confused’.
    Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
    Send us feedback

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    User Avatar

    Wiki User

    ∙ 9y ago


    Best Answer

    Copy

    Yes, it is an adjective. It means tending to cause confusion, or
    unclear.

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    Wiki User

    ∙ 9y ago

    This answer is:

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    Wiki User

    ∙ 8y ago

    Copy

    Yes, it is. Both situations and people can become confused.

    It is the past participle of the verb (confuse) and the present
    participle (confusing) is also an adjective.

    This answer is:

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    • British

    [ kuhn-fyoozd ]

    / kənˈfyuzd /


    adjective

    not thinking coherently or rationally; bewildered; perplexed: My attempt to explain was met with confused stares and shrugging shoulders.Hopelessly confused, I just tossed my trash into what I thought was the right receptacle.

    incorrectly differentiated, identified, or associated: You’re getting him confused with another player with the same name—this one plays for the Twins.In this lesson, students learn the frequently confused words their, they’re, and there.

    without order; jumbled:Over time, the original neat lines of tents grew into a confused tangle of canvas-roofed shelters.What was once an imposing fortress is now just a confused heap of erect and fallen stones.

    disconcerted, perturbed, or ashamed: I emerged from the office red-faced and confused.

    expressed in a way that is not easily understood:The novel plods along trying to provide hopelessly confused technical detail, much of which is blatantly impossible according to the elementary laws of physics.

    verb

    the simple past tense and past participle of confuse.

    QUIZ

    CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

    There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

    Which sentence is correct?

    Origin of confused

    First recorded in 1350–1400; confuse + -ed2 for the adjective senses; confuse + -ed1 for the verb sense

    OTHER WORDS FROM confused

    con·fus·ed·ly [kuhn-fyoo-zid-lee, —fyoozd-], /kənˈfyu zɪd li, -ˈfyuzd-/, adverbcon·fus·ed·ness, nounpre·con·fus·ed·ly, adverbsu·per·con·fused, adjective

    un·con·fused, adjectiveun·con·fus·ed·ly, adverb

    Words nearby confused

    Confucianism, Confucius, con fuoco, confusable, confuse, confused, confused elderly, confused flour beetle, confusing, confusion, confusticate

    Dictionary.com Unabridged
    Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

    Words related to confused

    baffled, befuddled, bewildered, dazed, disorganized, distracted, muddled, perplexed, perturbed, puzzled, chaotic, messy, abashed, addled, discombobulated, disconcerted, flummoxed, flustered, gone, misled

    How to use confused in a sentence

    • This disjuncture — between the rapidly rising case counts and relatively relaxed social life — has left some confused, and others complacent.

    • Her confidence plummeted, and she was confused about the options the district laid out for how she could finish the class.

    • You become confused, wary, uncertain what to believe or how to act.

    • When another doctor had tried to take her medical history the night before, Johnson was too confused to provide it.

    • These imperfections—and the surrealist quality of the memes—will keep them from being confused for reality.

    • Unfortunately, the most confused Ebola alarmists had millions of followers: Sean Hannity and Ann Coulter.

    • I think he sometimes got it confused, particularly in his storytelling.

    • He said his son was confused why he was being pulled over—other cars had been speeding by him—before hanging up the phone.

    • It began when a classmate raised her hand and stated that she was confused about the facts of the case.

    • “I fall very much on the pessimistic spectrum, in the sense that I get very confused about it,” she says.

    • The crowd shuffled off in all directions, and then engaged in a confused struggle for the chairs.

    • Results are in terms of bulk of precipitate, which must not be confused with percentage by weight.

    • She now understood nearly all that was said directly to her, though she could not follow general and confused conversation.

    • He gave me some instructions, but I was too confused to understand them, and too shy to ask questions.

    • Irregular spurts of musketry heralded the appearance of confused masses of armed men.

    British Dictionary definitions for confused


    adjective

    feeling or exhibiting an inability to understand; bewildered; perplexed

    in a disordered state; mixed up; jumbled

    lacking sufficient mental abilities for independent living, esp through old age

    Derived forms of confused

    confusedly (kənˈfjuːzɪdlɪ, -ˈfjuːzd-), adverbconfusedness, noun

    Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
    © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
    Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

    Similar meaning words

    mutual synonyms sentence examples

    Confused

    Confused adjective — Lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness.

    Show all Definitions

    Synonyms for Confused

    Antonyms for Confused


    Embarrassed is a synonym for confused in abashed topic. In some cases you can use «Embarrassed» instead the word «Confused» as an adjective or a verb, when it comes to topics like ashamed, perplexed.


    Nearby Words: confusion, confusing, confusedly

    Embarrassed

    Embarrassed adjective — Feeling or caused to feel uneasy and self-conscious.

    Show all Definitions

    Synonyms for Embarrassed


    Confused is a synonym for embarrassed in abashed topic. You can use «Confused» instead the word «Embarrassed» as an adjective or a verb, if it concerns topics such as upset, perplexed.


    Nearby Words: embarrassment, embarrassing, embarrassingly

    I’ve encountered this question today, what I actually said was

    I’m confused with these two questions.

    Then I thought, «Should I say confused with?»

    Dictionary says about should follow confused.

    Can anyone tell me whether both of them are right?

    asked Mar 16, 2016 at 12:29

    Sampson Gao's user avatar

    0

    «Confused with» is generally used when you fail to distinguish/mistake one for another. For example, «I always confuse Tanya with her sister».

    On the other hand, «confused about» is used when «confuse» is given its literal meaning. For example, «I am confused about what to do with this degree that I’ve got».

    Depending on the context, either could be correct, as they give a different meaning.

    Pang's user avatar

    Pang

    2034 silver badges9 bronze badges

    answered Mar 16, 2016 at 12:47

    0

    In many cases, preposition choice is a matter of opinion and personal preference.

    With is perfectly acceptable in this case. In fact, according to Dictionary.com, one of the official definitions of with is

    In regard(s) to

    You could easily rewrite your example as

    I am confused in regards to these two questions.

    However, about is also acceptable, as it can potentially have exactly the same definition as with.

    In conclusion, in this case, it’s simply a matter of preference. Either is correct.

    Which one sounds better to you?

    answered Mar 16, 2016 at 12:49

    Adam Hayes's user avatar

    0

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