disorient

verb

dis·​ori·​ent (ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-ē-ˌent How to pronounce disorient (audio)
disoriented; disorienting; disorients
Synonyms of disorientnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to lose bearings : displace from normal position or relationship
b
: to cause to lose the sense of time, place, or identity
2
: confuse

Synonyms of disorient

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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.
Hang fly traps and tape, and use fans to draw flies away and disorient them. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 23 June 2026 Others close to the 51-year-old were worried that he may have been disoriented. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 Weakened, perhaps unable to fly and definitely disoriented, the theory is that they are drawn to lights. — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 Wilson, disoriented by Jones and Stewart, was held to just 9 points on 2-of-10 from the field. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 30 June 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

Rhymes for disorient

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Browse Nearby Words

disorganizer
disorient
disorientate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disorient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorient. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

disorient

verb
dis·​ori·​ent (ˈ)dis-ˈōr-ē-ˌent How to pronounce disorient (audio)
-ˈȯr-
: to cause to be confused or lost

Medical Definition

disorient

transitive verb
dis·​ori·​ent (ˈ)dis-ˈōr-ē-ˌent, -ˈȯr- How to pronounce disorient (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on disorient

Nglish: Translation of disorient for Spanish Speakers

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