bewilder

be·wil·der

transitive verb \bi-ˈwil-dər, bē-\

be·wil·dered be·wil·der·ing\-d(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of BEWILDER

1

: to cause to lose one's bearings

2

: to perplex or confuse especially by a complexity, variety, or multitude of objects or considerations

— be·wil·dered·ly adverb

— be·wil·dered·ness noun

— be·wil·der·ing·ly \-d(ə-)riŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of BEWILDER

1. <the change in policy seems to have bewildered many of our customers>

First Known Use of BEWILDER

1684

Related to BEWILDER

Synonyms

addle, baffle, bamboozle, beat, befog, befuddle, bemuse, confuse, 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

See Synonym Discussion at puzzle

Rhymes with BEWILDER

boatbuilder, Mound Builder, shipbuilder