bamboozle

verb

bam·boo·zle bam-ˈbü-zəl

bamboozled; bamboozling bam-ˈbüz-liŋ

-ˈbü-zə-

Synonyms of bamboozle next

transitive verb

: to deceive by underhanded methods : dupe, hoodwink

I got bamboozled by the salesperson to buy a more expensive model.

: to confuse, frustrate, or throw off thoroughly or completely

a quarterback bamboozled by an unexpected defense

bamboozlement

bam-ˈbü-zəl-mənt

noun

Did you know?

In 1710, Irish author Jonathan Swift wrote an article on "the continual Corruption of our English Tongue" in which he complained of "the Choice of certain Words invented by some pretty Fellows." Among the inventions Swift disliked was bamboozle, which was used by contemporary criminals. Other than that, the origin of bamboozle remains a mystery, but the word has clearly defied Swift's assertion that "All new affected Modes of Speech ... are the first perishing Parts in any Language."

Examples of bamboozle in a Sentence

bamboozled by con men into buying worthless land in the desert I'm completely bamboozled by the latest changes in the tax code

Recent Examples on the Web Astronomy And Art Nordgren holds a Ph.D. in Astronomy from Cornell University, but his goal is to educate and inform—not to bamboozle people with science. —

Jamie Carter, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024 The consumer alert, issued this week, cautioned travelers against getting bamboozled by a deal that may be just too good to be true. —

Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2024 Without this process, the likely result would be a customer paralyzed by choice, bamboozled by an eye-wateringly expensive blank canvas. —

Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The first goal of the night was a microcosm of Mbappé’s skillset – exploding down the left side of the pitch before bamboozling his defender with some quick feet before lashing it across goal into the bottom corner in the 15th minute. —

Ben Morse, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 Fans willing to overlook the obvious vapidity of director Rob Reiner, a hostile Democrat-progressive zealot, prove that some conservatives are bamboozled by liberalism’s kindly pretense. —

Armond White, National Review, 21 Feb. 2024 Much of the criticism of Ms. Swift, meanwhile, seems tinged with condescension, suggesting that a 33-year-old female pop star is a gullible naïf, ripe for bamboozling by political operators. —

James Poniewozik, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2024 But, as the FDA's focus group already established, soy-milk drinkers aren't being bamboozled. —

Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 27 Sep. 2023 The youngest generation is bamboozling its elders with terms all their own. —

Linda Marx, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bamboozle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.