Confusing synonym,synonyms of confusing

Perplexing

• Similarities
  • Both “confusing” and “perplexing” indicate that something is hard to comprehend or figure out. For example, a complex math problem can be confusing or perplexing. They both create a sense of mental struggle for the person trying to make sense of the situation or information.
  • In a mystery novel, the plot twists can be confusing/perplexing, making it difficult for the reader to predict what will happen next.
• Differences
  • “Perplexing” often implies a deeper level of confusion that may leave a person feeling more bewildered or at a loss. It suggests that the thing being described is more intricate or baffling. For instance, a philosophical conundrum might be described as perplexing rather than just confusing, as it really challenges one's understanding.
  • “Confusing” can be used in a broader range of situations and might not always carry the same sense of extreme bewilderment as “perplexing”. A slightly muddled set of instructions could be confusing, but not necessarily perplexing.

Puzzling

• Similarities
  • Like “confusing”, “puzzling” means that something is causing confusion and making it hard to understand or explain. A strange event or an unusual behavior can be confusing or puzzling. They both prompt a person to try to find an explanation or make sense of what is going on.
  • If you see a mysterious object in an old attic, it might be confusing/puzzling, and you'd want to figure out what it is and what it was used for.
• Differences
  • “Puzzling” often has more of an association with something being like a puzzle, where there are pieces that need to be put together to understand it. It implies that there is a solution or an answer that can be found with some effort. “Confusing” is a bit more general and might not always suggest that there is a clear solution or that it's like a puzzle to be solved.
  • “Puzzling” can also be used to describe something that is curious or strange in a way that makes you think about it more, while “confusing” can just refer to something that is muddled or unclear.

Mystifying

• Similarities
  • “Mystifying” and “confusing” both involve a lack of clarity and an element of mystery that makes it hard to understand. A magic trick can be confusing or mystifying as it leaves the audience wondering how it was done. They both create a sense of uncertainty and a need to figure out what is really going on.
  • In a historical context, some ancient civilizations' practices and rituals can be confusing/mystifying to modern scholars who are trying to understand their cultures.
• Differences
  • “Mystifying” has a stronger emphasis on the element of mystery and the sense of being almost unknowable or difficult to penetrate. It often implies that there is something hidden or secret that is causing the confusion. For example, a person's sudden and unexplained disappearance might be described as mystifying.
  • “Confusing” doesn't always carry the same sense of deep mystery. It can be due to simple lack of organization or clarity, while “mystifying” suggests a more profound and perhaps even a bit spooky or mysterious kind of confusion.

Ambiguous

• Similarities
  • Both “ambiguous” and “confusing” can lead to uncertainty and difficulty in understanding. An ambiguous statement or a confusing one can both make it hard for the listener or reader to know exactly what is meant. For example, a poem with ambiguous language can be very confusing as it's not clear what the poet is trying to convey.
  • In a legal contract, an ambiguous clause can cause confusion as the parties involved may not be sure of its meaning.
• Differences
  • “Ambiguous” specifically refers to something that has more than one possible meaning or interpretation. It's about the lack of clarity in meaning due to multiple options. “Confusing” can be due to many factors like complexity, disorganization, or just too much information. For example, a set of complex and jumbled instructions is confusing, but it may not be ambiguous in the sense of having multiple clear meanings.
  • “Ambiguous” is often used in the context of language, signs, or signals where the meaning is not clear, while “confusing” can be used to describe a wider range of situations including physical arrangements, processes, or events that are hard to make sense of.