The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word ADDLE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
A
D
D
L
E
More clues leading to the result ADDLE
- Go bad, getting led astray after advert
- Two daughters introduced to beer become confused
- Confuse theologian introduced to beer
- First in row to leave, go off
- Go off with clumsy gait, putting away whiskey
- Go off with beer drinking theologian
- Source of distraction briefly allowed to cause confusion
- Confuse movement of a duck with taking off
- Turn seat, dropping head
- Go off seat that’s lost its top
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "to cause confusion" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case to cause confusion = addle.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ADDLE mean?
ADDLE verb- (provincial) To earn, earn by labor; earn money or one's living.
- (provincial) To thrive or grow; to ripen.
- A foolish or dull-witted fellow.
- Liquid filth; mire.
- (provincial) Lees; dregs.
- To make addle; to grow addle; to muddle
- To cause fertilised eggs to lose viability, by killing the developing embryo within through shaking, piercing, freezing or oiling, without breaking the shell.
- Having lost the power of development, and become rotten; putrid.
- (by extension) Unfruitful or confused; muddled.