1
as in to deceive
to cause to believe what is untrue
bamboozled by con men into buying worthless land in the desert
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
I'm completely bamboozled by the latest changes in the tax code
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bamboozle
Knowles could be key to shutting down an Ohio State that has bamboozled every challenger to date this year, but Saturday’s host is bound to have some tricks up its sleeve in return.
—
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2025
His new changeup ducked under bats to bamboozle the Mariners’ lefties.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Someone might use their power to bamboozle you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2025
With three full courtyards and mazes of tunnels and buildings, Chillon was brilliantly designed to bamboozle any invaders who managed to enter.
—John Oseid, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bamboozle
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2025
His new changeup ducked under bats to bamboozle the Mariners’ lefties.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Someone might use their power to bamboozle you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2025
With three full courtyards and mazes of tunnels and buildings, Chillon was brilliantly designed to bamboozle any invaders who managed to enter.
—John Oseid, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bamboozle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bamboozle
Verb
-
Is someone attempting to deceive you?—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Your eyes aren't deceiving you.—
Jessica Farthing,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The citizens of Texas are confusing hospitality for complacency.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
To give my permission to be sad, to be angry, to be confused.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Those kinds of intimate connections — along with their incredible skills, trick shots and fun-loving theatrics — have helped the Globetrotters prevail as a cultural staple for the past century.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
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Heathcliff has tricked Edgar’s sister, Isabella, into marrying him by pretending to love her.—
Becky Little,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Patagonia’s proprietary synthetic fill imitates down’s structure by spinning air-trapping microfilaments around a central fiber and requires fewer stabilizing seams and baffles than down.—
Kelly Bastone,
Outside,
10 Feb. 2026
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Even Proctor’s defense attorney seemed baffled by the district attorney’s office’s handling of the case.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These ads may not have fooled as many of us as their makers seemed to think.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Feb. 2026
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And don’t let the utilities and their friends fool you.—
Kendall Keelen,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even a principled, well-meaning actor like Claude could face bewildering ethical conflicts.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Oswalt confesses being bewildered by Bamford at first.—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The moment became viral on social media, with some X users perplexed at the interview.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
11 Feb. 2026
-
That’s perplexing to Alvarez and Oakley, given that Cal State tuition is still relatively low, despite recent annual tuition hikes.—
Cal Matters,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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He was puzzled by friends who bought band T-shirts and obsessed over concerts.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
11 Feb. 2026
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Yes, Tuesday night’s concert was also occasionally puzzling in its choices.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bamboozle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bamboozle. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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