bamboozled

verb

Definition of bamboozlednext
past tense of bamboozle
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

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.
Recent Examples of bamboozled Watch Daizen Maeda’s strike against Sweden, a delightful one- and two-touch passing move that bamboozled the opposition defense. — David Hickey, NBC news, 29 June 2026 To enter this anniversary uncritically — wrapped in flags and the mythology of manifest destiny — is to be bamboozled. — Otis Moss Iii, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 With the Barcelona defence bamboozled, Cole and Yorke traded passes and the former converted. — Stuart James, New York Times, 23 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
  1. tricked
  2. baffled
  3. fooled
  4. confused
  5. deceived
  6. puzzled
  7. bewildered
  8. perplexed
Verb
  • Ricky Saints tricked the referee into thinking Lil Yachty used the kendo stick on him, and after traveling all the way to Riyadh, Yachty was tossed out just minutes into the match.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.
    — Gabriel Sama, Mercury News, 21 June 2026
Definition of tricked
Verb
  • Grantham said he was baffled by Wall Street banks’ recommendations to buy SpaceX for their clients.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 July 2026
  • Pz’ spends much of his proper debut, No Turning Back, equally baffled by his good fortune and ready to fasten it to his side with a Gucci strap before anyone else can take it.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 3 July 2026
Definition of baffled
Verb
  • His trademark smirk and knowing stare are now feared by any opponent up against Norway, but don’t be fooled into thinking Haaland isn’t serious about his career.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Don’t be fooled by their jaw-dropping price; the flats boast a luxe look thanks to their low profile and—of course—glove silhouette.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 July 2026
Definition of fooled
Verb
  • And this isn't even the first time the USC athletic department has gotten its ancient Greek literature confused.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • The Blazers say a handshake agreement with Mayor Keith Wilson, the city and the county was made in March, and are confused why there has been a shift.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of confused
Verb
  • In an era when AI generates convincing falsehoods at scale and a third of teenagers report being deceived by fake content online, the ability to weigh evidence critically is not an academic exercise but a plain necessity.
    — Rajiv Vinnakota, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring with a spectacular cross-shot that deceived Jordan Pickford and, although Jude Bellingham struck back for England in first-half stoppage time, Norway looked the more likely winners as the second period wore on.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of deceived
Verb
  • When casting director Nancy Nayor was young, her parents were puzzled by her entertainment choices.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
  • First, Miguel is puzzled when Chuy and his parents, Rosalío (Fernando Cuautl) and Margarita (Leidi Gutiérrez), abruptly leave town without warning.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026
Definition of puzzled
Verb
  • In Texas, Spain bewildered France, neutralising what has looked like the most formidable attack in the tournament.
    — Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of bewildered
Verb
  • Workers at Doherty Staffing Solutions were perplexed when strangers started calling the office in response to recruitment texts — texts the firm never sent.
    — Bill Lukitsch, Boston Herald, 13 July 2026
  • The Wiener Kitchen diners weren’t the only Kansas Citians perplexed by this description.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Definition of perplexed

Browse Nearby Words

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bamboozled
bamboozlement
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Cite this Entry

“Bamboozled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bamboozled. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bamboozled for Spanish Speakers

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