befuddle

be·fud·dle

transitive verb \bi-ˈfə-d^əl, bē-\

Definition of BEFUDDLE

1

: to muddle or stupefy with or as if with drink

2

: confuse, perplex

— be·fud·dle·ment \-mənt\ noun

Examples of BEFUDDLE

1. <most of the applicants were befuddled by the wording of one of the questions on the driving test>

First Known Use of BEFUDDLE

1832

Related to BEFUDDLE

Synonyms

addle, baffle, bamboozle, beat, befog, confuse, bemuse, bewilder, buffalo, confound, discombobulate, disorient, flummox, fox, fuddle, get, gravel, maze, muddle, muddy, mystify, perplex, pose, puzzle, vex

Related Words

stick, stump, weird out; abash, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle; agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, stun, unhinge, unsettle, upset; beguile, cozen, deceive, delude, dupe, fool, gull, hoax, hoodwink, humbug, misguide, mislead, snow, string along, take in, trick

Near Antonyms

assure, reassure, satisfy; enlighten, inform