befuddle

verb

be·​fud·​dle bi-ˈfə-dᵊl 

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

bi-ˈfə-dᵊl-mənt 

bē-

noun

Synonyms of befuddle

• bewilder
• perplex
• confuse
• baffle
• puzzle

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

Warren senior right-hander Peyton Balanag throws a pitch that can befuddle hitters. —Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

Powell acknowledged he was befuddled by persistent gains in housing prices, considering the job market was weakening. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026

Shares are erasing some of those two-day losses on Monday, but our overarching point about the befuddling post-earnings market reaction holds true. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026

Desire Doue let the ball run through his legs, befuddling his marker to such a degree that the only sensible reaction was laughter. —Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

be- + fuddle

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for befuddle

• cuddle
• huddle
• muddle
• puddle

Kids Definition

befuddle

verb

be·​fud·​dle bi-ˈfəd-ᵊl 

befuddled; befuddling

-ˈfəd-liŋ, 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to dull the senses of with or as if with too much drink : stupefy

2

: confuse sense 1a, perplex

befuddlement

-mənt 

noun