bamboozle

bam·boo·zle

verb \bam-ˈbü-zəl\

bam·boo·zledbam·boo·zling\-ˈbüz-liŋ, -ˈbü-zə-\

Definition of BAMBOOZLE

transitive verb

1

: to deceive by underhanded methods : dupe, hoodwink

2

: to confuse, frustrate, or throw off thoroughly or completely <a quarterback bamboozled by an unexpected defense>

— bam·boo·zle·ment \-ˈbü-zəl-mənt\ noun

Examples of BAMBOOZLE

1. <bamboozled by con men into buying worthless land in the desert>
2. <she's completely bamboozled by the latest changes in the tax code>

Origin of BAMBOOZLE

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1703

Related to BAMBOOZLE

Synonyms: deceive, beguile, bluff, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, delude, dupe, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, gull, have, have on [chiefly British], hoax, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, take in, trick

Antonyms: undeceive

Related Words: kid, put on, tease; bleed, cheat, chisel, defraud, diddle, euchre, flam, fleece, gyp, hustle, mulct, rook, shortchange, skin, squeeze, stick, sting, swindle

Near Antonyms: debunk, expose, reveal, show up, uncloak, uncover, unmask; disclose, divulge, tell, unveil; disabuse, disenchant, disillusion

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Rhymes with BAMBOOZLE

accusal, perusal, refusal