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confusingdifficult to understand; making someone feel bewildered

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: difficult to understand; making someone feel bewildered

Pronunciation (IPA): /kənˈfjuːzɪŋ/

Example Sentences

  • The GPS gave such confusing directions that we ended up at a petting zoo instead of the airport.
  • His confusing explanation made quantum physics sound like a cooking recipe gone wrong.
  • The confusing layout of the new shopping mall had customers walking in circles for hours.

confusing

ADJECTIVE

[/kənˈfjuːzɪŋ/]

difficult to understand; making someone feel bewildered

The new subway map is so confusing that tourists keep walking in circles.
💡 Concept

The new subway map is so confusing that tourists keep walking in circles.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/kənˈfjuːzɪŋ/
🇬🇧 UK/kənˈfjuːzɪŋ/

🌳Etymology

Prefixcon--
Rootfus
Suffix--ing

Origin

Derived from Latin 'confundere', meaning 'to pour together' or 'to mix together'. The sense evolved metaphorically from the image of multiple liquids poured together becoming indistinguishable, to mean 'to perplex' or 'to bewilder the mind'.

Breakdown

con- (together) + fundere (to pour) → confuse (to mix together, perplex) + -ing (present participle suffix indicating an ongoing action or quality).

🎵Rhyme

amusingusingchoosinglosing
amusing
using
choosing
losing

🔗Collocations

confusing message
confusing instructions
confusing situation
find something confusing
rather confusing
confusing array of

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The GPS gave such confusing directions that we ended up at a petting zoo instead of the airport.

😄 Fun example

His confusing explanation made quantum physics sound like a cooking recipe gone wrong.

The confusing layout of the new shopping mall had customers walking in circles for hours.

😄 Fun example

It's confusing when your identical twin brothers wear the same clothes every day.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

perplexingbewilderingpuzzlingbafflingmystifying

Antonyms

clearobviousstraightforward

Related

confusionconfuseconfusedclarityunderstand

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