bedazzle

verb

be·​daz·​zle bi-ˈda-zəl 

bē-

bedazzled; bedazzling; bedazzles

transitive verb

1

: to impress forcefully : enchant, fascinate

She dressed to kill, glittering with jewels in wondrous costumes to bedazzle her subjects.

—Johanna McGeary

In the first half of the century, English estate gardeners created the bedding system, a technique for displaying exotics in seasonally changing vignettes designed to bedazzle onlookers, much like modern-day department store windows.

—Mary Forsell

2

: to embellish by or as if by the use of a rhinestone setting machine : to decorate colorfully or elaborately especially with shiny embellishments

Abbie looked glamorous in her picture as she wore a baby blue satin dance costume, which was bedazzled with mirrored sequins and crystals.

—Charlotte Dean

Sparkles from a TikTok filter bedazzle the footage.

—Kyle Chayka

3

: to confuse by or as if by a strong light : dazzle

Either the sudden gleams of light flashing over the obscure field bedazzled Goodman Brown, or he recognized a score of the church members of Salem village famous for their especial sanctity.

—Nathaniel Hawthorne

The British press, glumly conditioned to watching U.S. boxers flatten Britain's best, crowed with delight. Bragged the Daily Mirror: "[Randolph] Turpin became world champion without any of the hokum that Americans have used to bedazzle and bamboozle their opponents before the fight."

—Time Magazine

bedazzlement

bi-ˈda-zəl-mənt 

bē-

noun

plural bedazzlements

Synonyms of bedazzle

• fascinate
• enchant
• hypnotize

Examples of bedazzle in a Sentence

fans bedazzled by movie stars

don't let their promises of immense riches bedazzle you

Recent Examples on the Web

In recent weeks, Smith has shared heartwrenching glimpses into the family’s battle, including photos of Whimsy’s curls being shaved and her bald head bedazzled with gems. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026

The carousel horses, exquisitely painted and bedazzled, are valued at over $30,000 apiece, said Sean Butler, the chief operating officer of Butler Amusements, the family-run business that owns the fair’s rides. — Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Just hours after sitting front row at the Celia Kritharioti show in a semi-diaphanous gown dripping with iridescent crystals, Lopez bedazzled her sculptural turtleneck Stéphane Rolland couture gown with priceless Chopard Haute Joaillerie pieces. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 July 2026

Unlike modern sports trading cards, which are not only hefty but often bedazzled with autographs, jersey patches, and random holograms, the Panini stickers are flimsy and meant to be abused. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for bedazzle

• dazzle

Kids Definition

bedazzle

verb

be·​daz·​zle bi-ˈdaz-əl 

: dazzle sense 1

bedazzlement

-mənt 

noun