1
as in tricked
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 baffled
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 bamboozled
When Zverev first became a force on the ATP Tour, his combination of a huge first serve and the ability to play like a human backboard bamboozled even the Big Three.
—
Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Frank concluded that many Kansans had been bamboozled by populist anti-elitism.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Way back in 2018, Gaines and Riley were running split-back formations and leaving opposing defenses bamboozled while playing for the 12-and-under Moreno Valley Falcons in the heart of Southern California.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Lenders are more easily bamboozled by fake spreadsheets than by fake factories.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Frank concluded that many Kansans had been bamboozled by populist anti-elitism.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Way back in 2018, Gaines and Riley were running split-back formations and leaving opposing defenses bamboozled while playing for the 12-and-under Moreno Valley Falcons in the heart of Southern California.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Lenders are more easily bamboozled by fake spreadsheets than by fake factories.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bamboozled
Verb
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The sample that tricked the most people came from a robot Bram Stoker.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
2 June 2026
-
Montreal opened the scoring when Dubois’ shot hit off of Elizabeth Giguere’s stick and tricked Rooney.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
This new dating trend is leaving people baffled and heartbroken.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
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But he was baffled as to why people are now incensed over pickleball courts.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Busch wasn’t fooled when San Francisco Giants lefty reliever Erik Miller hung a 1-1 slider over the plate in the fifth inning.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
-
More knowledgeable shoppers than you have been fooled.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Some women who filed lawsuits against Ortega reported they had been confused about whether demeaning or uncomfortable actions the doctor engaged in during exams was within the bounds of necessary medical behavior.—
Emily Hoerner,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
-
MacT’s ability to communicate and his intelligent verbal should not be confused for a soft approach.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The problem is, most people feel deceived when the person in front of them doesn't match the profile.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
Do not be deceived by this seemingly simple question.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
At first, Gulati was puzzled by the idea.—
Neha Bhatt,
NPR,
13 June 2026
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The Braves swapped out catchers Thursday, a move that puzzled some fans because there wasn’t a clear explanation.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
Former Republican state senator Jeff Brandes, who now leads the Florida Policy Project, said he was bewildered by the governor's proposal.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
-
Gasly seems faintly bewildered by the designation.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Aryna Sabalenka being asked to dance after defeating Naomi Osaka in the French Open has one former American tennis star perplexed.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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Democrats have been particularly perplexed given the state's top-two primary system, which places all candidates on a single ballot regardless of party.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bamboozled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bamboozled. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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