bamboozle
verb
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." (Note that pretty originally meant "artful, clever.") Among the inventions Swift disliked was bamboozle, which was used by contemporary criminals. Beyond those who favored the word, little is known of its early days, but the word has clearly defied Swift's assertion that "All new affected Modes of Speech ... are the first perishing Parts in any Language." With its first syllable like a sound effect, bamboozle hints at mystification or magic when it is used to mean "to confuse, frustrate, or perplex," as in "The batters were bamboozled by the pitcher's dazzling curveball."
Examples of bamboozle in a Sentence
Matias Grez, CNN Money, 1 May 2025
The complexity of American health insurance coverage has many physicians bamboozled.
—Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Learning multiple languages is 100% worth it just for bamboozling people like that!
—Darlin Tillery, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Minnesota was bamboozled by Golden State’s zone at the end of the first half.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bamboozle
Cite this Entry
“Bamboozle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bamboozle. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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