thoroughly confusing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly confusing" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very difficult to understand. For example: "The instructions that came with the new appliance were thoroughly confusing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Credit card contracts are unclear, at best, and thoroughly confusing at worst," Mr. Shelby said on Tuesday.

The New York Times

Instead of complementing each other and forming a perfect whole - as family letters always did at Christmas - these were thoroughly confusing.

The New Yorker

For several years, in a stunt that became something of an artwork in its own right, the curator Massimiliano Gioni presented himself at public events as Mr. Cattelan, thoroughly confusing everybody.

The New York Times - Arts

After a thoroughly confusing first few pages, the narrative settles into a story that is easy to follow and that slowly and artfully arrives at the point where those first confusing words make rich and moving sense.

The New York Times - Books

Its post-apocalyptic tale is told with an abundance of made up words, many of which pass without definition, while its knack for conversation without context make it thoroughly confusing.

The Guardian - Tech

As we enter, I immediately lose the crew, weaving a reverse route through the festival grounds to the check-in desk to get my credentials, thoroughly confusing the staff.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

They became thoroughly confused.

The Guardian - Business

I for one am thoroughly confused.

The Guardian - Business

AS AN aside to the post below, this Washington Post editorial has me thoroughly confused.

The Economist

Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper was thoroughly confused by Fox's tactics.

The New York Times - Sports

The next song may have been Bulgarian, but by this time I was thoroughly confused.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex subjects, use "thoroughly confusing" to emphasize the high degree of difficulty in understanding. For example, "The legal jargon in the contract was thoroughly confusing."

Common error

Avoid using "thoroughly confusing" when describing something only mildly perplexing. Reserve it for situations where genuine and significant confusion arises.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly confusing" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It intensifies the degree to which something is confusing, emphasizing a significant lack of clarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for describing complex or incomprehensible subjects.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Tech

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thoroughly confusing" is a grammatically sound and widely used adjectival phrase that intensifies the sense of bewilderment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing subjects that are particularly difficult to understand. While alternatives like "utterly confusing" or "completely confusing" exist, "thoroughly confusing" holds its own as a versatile choice. This phrase commonly appears in news and media, reflecting its general applicability in describing various scenarios. Use it judiciously, reserving it for situations where the level of confusion is genuinely significant to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely confusing

Highlights the complete lack of understanding.

totally confusing

Similar to 'entirely confusing', denoting a complete lack of comprehension.

completely confusing

Highlights the total and absolute confusion.

absolutely confusing

Stresses the complete and utter confusion experienced.

utterly confusing

Similar to 'completely confusing', stressing the degree of bewilderment.

thoroughly perplexing

Indicates something is deeply puzzling and difficult to resolve.

fundamentally confusing

Indicates that the confusion stems from a basic or core aspect.

thoroughly puzzling

Implies something is difficult to understand or explain.

thoroughly disorienting

Emphasizes the loss of direction or understanding caused by something.

profoundly confusing

Suggests a deep and significant level of confusion.

FAQs

How can I use "thoroughly confusing" in a sentence?

You can use "thoroughly confusing" to describe something difficult to understand. For instance, "The professor's explanation of quantum physics was "thoroughly confusing"".

What can I say instead of "thoroughly confusing"?

You can use alternatives like "completely confusing", "utterly confusing", or "thoroughly perplexing" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very thoroughly confusing"?

Yes, adding "very" is usually redundant. "Thoroughly" already intensifies the confusion, so ""thoroughly confusing"" is strong enough on its own.

What's the difference between "thoroughly confusing" and "slightly confusing"?

"Thoroughly confusing" indicates a high degree of difficulty in understanding, while "slightly confusing" suggests a minor or easily resolved ambiguity.