adjective
confusing
Difficult to understand or likely to cause uncertainty.
The confusing instructions leave us unsure which button to press.
Etymology
The Latin source pictures mixing things together. Confusing describes something that produces a similar mental tangle, making distinctions or a clear interpretation difficult.
More examples
- I find the two nearly identical street names confusing.
- The movie becomes more confusing when the characters travel back in time.
- The most confusing part of the bill is the list of extra fees.
Forms
Similar words
- unclear
- Not clearly expressed or understood; may simply lack detail.
- puzzling
- Difficult to explain or solve, often prompting closer thought.
- complicated
- Has many connected parts, which may make understanding difficult.