disorient

verb

dis·ori·ent (ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-ē-ˌent

disoriented; disorienting; disorients

Synonyms of disorient

transitive verb

: to cause to lose bearings : displace from normal position or relationship

: to cause to lose the sense of time, place, or identity

: confuse

Examples of disorient in a Sentence

Thick fog can disorient even an experienced hiker. troops disoriented by the sudden change in battle plans

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Each step sends a ripple through the spongy, thin mat, a slow undulating motion beneath your feet that surprises the senses, disorienting yet simultaneously strangely delightful. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 Miller woke up disoriented and alone in the hospital; her clothes were surrendered as evidence. — Sharon Chin, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 The four-year ceasefire with the Houthis was already fragile, and the rapid UAE withdrawal as demanded by Riyadh left thousands of fighters who had spent a decade under Abu Dhabi’s command disoriented by Riyadh’s strategy. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 The multi-story experience is intended to disorient visitors as the navigate the twisting space, so don’t expect an easy out. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disorient

Word History

Etymology

French désorienter, from dés- dis- + orienter to orient

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of disorient was in 1655

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

disorganizer

disorient

disorientate

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Disorient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorient. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

disorient

verb

dis·ori·ent (ˈ)dis-ˈōr-ē-ˌent

-ˈȯr-

: to cause to be confused or lost

Medical Definition

disorient

transitive verb

dis·ori·ent (ˈ)dis-ˈōr-ē-ˌent, -ˈȯr-

: to produce a state of disorientation in : disorientate

the next day the patient was disoriented but not comatose—The Journal of the American Medical Association

disorient

verb

Synonyms of disorient

Examples of disorient in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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disorient

verb

Synonyms of disorient

Examples of disorient in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for disorient

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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