disoriented

[ dis-awr-ee-en-tid, -ohr- ]

adjective

1. confused as to time or place; out of touch:

   therapy for disoriented patients.

   Synonyms: unhinged, unstable, distracted

Word History and Origins

Origin of disoriented¹

disorient + -ed ²

Example Sentences

In the immediate aftermath of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when everyone was disoriented and either fearing devastating new attacks or hysterically screaming for vengeance, he kept his head.

From Salon

As Williams rams her finger against a console button to lower her window, any fear that her disoriented passengers are experiencing as the incident seemingly escalates quickly gives way to dumbfounded laughter.

From Los Angeles Times

But some groups, he added, had become completely disoriented because of a communication blackout.

From BBC

Hikers can also get disoriented when traveling the Barker Dam loop because the main attraction is often bone dry.

From Los Angeles Times

Infected terns seemed disoriented and unable to fly.

From New York Times

Related Words

• adrift
• astray
• bewildered
• lost
• perplexed
• unhinged
• unsettled