befuddle

verb

be·​fud·​dle bi-ˈfə-dᵊl How to pronounce befuddle (audio)
bē-
befuddled; befuddling; befuddles

transitive verb

1
: to muddle or stupefy with or as if with drink
befuddled with drink all the time.Ellen Glasgow
2
: confuse, perplex
a problem that still befuddles the experts
befuddlement noun

Examples of befuddle in a Sentence

most of the applicants were befuddled by the wording of one of the questions on the driving test
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The lack of consistent officiating has long been a pet peeve within the garage, to the point that drivers are often befuddled as to what constitutes a penalty and what doesn’t. Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024 After Pakman explains the way tariffs harm American companies, Kelly seems befuddled. Allison Morrow, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024 Shopping within the Dash Smart Shelf product category was just as befuddling as going directly to Amazon.com. Lauren Goode, WIRED, 8 Mar. 2021 Spiritualists were also early adopters of novel technologies such as photography – still befuddling to their public – exploiting simple tricks such as double negatives to create phantom images. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for befuddle 

Word History

Etymology

be- + fuddle

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of befuddle was in 1801

Dictionary Entries Near befuddle

Cite this Entry

“Befuddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/befuddle. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

befuddle

verb
be·​fud·​dle bi-ˈfəd-ᵊl How to pronounce befuddle (audio)
befuddled; befuddling
-ˈfəd-liŋ,
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to dull the senses of with or as if with too much drink : stupefy
2
befuddlement noun

More from Merriam-Webster on befuddle

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