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
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Defamation, which refers to a false statement of fact that is reputationally damaging, and false light, which is a technically true statement but is presented in a highly deceiving fashion, are other possible legal actions.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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Looks, too, can be deceiving for those not on the grounds.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the fall of 2023, Yanxiao joined Tsinghua University, where his research confused professors who were accustomed to more conventional disciplinary lines.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
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But the notice sent last spring was so vague and confusing that few people used it to object.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Dolphins have wasted years trying to trick tomorrow like that.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
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Already, scammers use audio and video deepfakes to trick individuals into giving them money, passwords, or other data, and the next step is to move beyond individuals and on to businesses, where the potential payouts are much, much larger.—
Alan Henry,
PC Magazine,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One administrator told me that he was baffled, but that the embassy staff seemed confident that something would come of it.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
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Books like this can frustrate and baffle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump proves experts got fooled again.—
,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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The quick shot that fooled Wallstedt was MacKinnon’s NHL-leading 43rd of the season.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Now, many millions of Americans are bewildered by events.—
David French,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
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McNutt housed some 700 kids — about one-third of the population of French Lick — and Bird found the campus outside the dormitory walls bewildering.—
Keith O'Brien,
Rolling Stone,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These are the brutally real snapshots of a man well acquainted with—but still perplexed by—the powerful and destructive forces that lord over our lives.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
4 Mar. 2026
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Hour said he was perplexed by his liberal friends expressing their condolences.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Dawson’s Creek star was among a growing number of younger adults who’ve been diagnosed with the disease — a trend that has puzzled researchers.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
13 Mar. 2026
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Told initially from his child-like perspective, the narrator reflects on a disorienting, puzzling day when his father picked him up late from school.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bamboozle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bamboozle. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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