confusers
Those who perplex
Confusers are things or people that cause confusion.
In language teaching and testing, confusers are the incorrect options in multiple-choice questions—plausible wrong answers designed to mislead: The test writer added confusers that students commonly mistake for the right answer.
More generally, anything that muddles understanding qualifies: Too many confusers in the instructions left everyone baffled.
Specialized professional vocabulary
- doublespeakDeliberately misleading language
- newspeakPropagandistic distorted language
- gobbledygookPretentious unintelligible language
- euphemismMild substitute for bluntness
equivocation · ambiguity · vagueness · misdirection · smokescreen · red herring · legalese · technobabble
Deliberate deception for effect
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- shamFraudulent imitation
ruse · feint · bluff · scam · swindle · charlatan · impostor · masquerade
False data spread unintentionally
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- distortionTwisting from original state
propaganda · spin · rumor · canard · myth · untruth · half-truth · misreport
Coercive psychological manipulation
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
propaganda · spin · persuasion · machination · scheming · maneuvering · psyops · social engineering
jargon
Specialized professional vocabulary
- doublespeakDeliberately misleading language
- newspeakPropagandistic distorted language
- gobbledygookPretentious unintelligible language
euphemism · equivocation · ambiguity · vagueness · misdirection · smokescreen · red herring · legalese · technobabble · bureaucratese
hoax
Deliberate deception for effect
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
sham · ruse · feint · bluff · scam · swindle · charlatan · impostor · masquerade · illusion
misinformation
False data spread unintentionally
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
distortion · propaganda · spin · rumor · canard · myth · untruth · half-truth · misreport · falsification
brainwashing
Coercive psychological manipulation
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
- exploitationSelfish use of others
indoctrination · propaganda · spin · persuasion · machination · scheming · maneuvering · psyops · social engineering · nudging
confusersclarifiers
Things that explain further
explainers · illuminators · interpreters · simplifiers · teachers
confusersorganizers
Those who coordinate activities
systematizers · straighteners · clarifiers · simplifiers · illuminators
- confused lookExpression of bafflement
- confused faceExpression showing lack of understanding
- Dazed and ConfusedStunned and mentally unclear
- clearly confusedUnmistakably puzzled state
- commonly confused