as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
most of the applicants were befuddled by the wording of one of the questions on the driving test
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of befuddle
Ward was the kind of masterful boxer who could potentially befuddle Paul given the opportunity.
—
Brian Mazique, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
The lack of consistent officiating has long been a pet peeve within the garage, to the point that drivers are often befuddled as to what constitutes a penalty and what doesn’t.
—Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024
After Pakman explains the way tariffs harm American companies, Kelly seems befuddled.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024
Shopping within the Dash Smart Shelf product category was just as befuddling as going directly to Amazon.com.
—Lauren Goode, WIRED, 8 Mar. 2021
See all Example Sentences for befuddle 
Brian Mazique, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
The lack of consistent officiating has long been a pet peeve within the garage, to the point that drivers are often befuddled as to what constitutes a penalty and what doesn’t.
—Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024
After Pakman explains the way tariffs harm American companies, Kelly seems befuddled.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024
Shopping within the Dash Smart Shelf product category was just as befuddling as going directly to Amazon.com.
—Lauren Goode, WIRED, 8 Mar. 2021
See all Example Sentences for befuddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddle
Verb
-
When Daphna posed the question to the room, Annie looked bewildered.Julia Whelan Krish Seenivasan Lance Neal, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
-
TikTok user Shannon Dudley Jr., a commercial fisherman from Everglades City, Florida, shared a video of the strange sight that has bewildered viewers.Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
At first, Benji’s friends and family were perplexed.Amelia Tait, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024
-
Dollar said she was perplexed by the explanation because her supervisor Kado-Fong had been trying to get the OK to have Dollar receive training to prepare her for the technician role.Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
These tools blur the line between reality and fiction, which can confuse audiences, especially younger viewers.Gerui Wang, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
-
However, her version is not to be confused with the film’s official soundtrack.Angel Saunders, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Since the middle of November, unidentified unmanned aerial vehicles have lit up the skies above New Jersey, startling residents and baffling military and government officials.Jared Keller, WIRED, 13 Dec. 2024
-
At the same time, improving baffling construction can allow down to more efficiently cover specific areas to increase warmth without adding weight.Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Just how its unique skin is formed has puzzled scientists–until now.Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Dec. 2024
-
The report reflects a puzzling rise in the rates of certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer, among younger patients.Tina Reed, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near befuddle
Cite this Entry
“Befuddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddle. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share