BEFOG Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

befog

verb

bi-ˈfȯg

Definition of befog

as in to confuse

to make (something) unclear to the understanding the professor's convoluted explanation only befogged the textbook's presentation of this scientific principle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to obscure

to make dark, dim, or indistinct the morning murk befogged our view of the harbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to bewilder

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty completely befogged by the sudden change of subject

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 befog The detective blames Nichols, the self-aggrandizing adviser who convinced the Cabazons to build a casino, for conjuring the intrigue that continued to befog the case long after his death. — Andrew Rice, WIRED, 4 Feb. 2011

Recent Examples of Synonyms for befog

Verb

But the decision left many in the football community confused, with an online petition started by alumnus Tim Hanrahan garnering more than 3,000 signatures.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
This is where things get messy, and many folks — oligarchs in particular — become invested in keeping the general voter confused.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of confuse

Verb

What’s at issue is collateral damage, a term that came into use during the Vietnam War to obscure, through abstraction, that masses of civilians were being systematically blown to pieces.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
The poster also obscured the system’s dynamic tracking accuracy.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of obscure

Verb

Dan emerges as Primetime’s unlikely heart, bewildered by the dark world he’s wandered into and left to negotiate his ambitions with the high stakes of the job.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
That’s a common sentiment from a touring superstar, but there’s a sense that Kahan really might be as happily bewildered as the rest of us about how songs this personal and cloudy came to captivate even sunny California.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of bewilder

Verb

But instead of sounding the alarm, defendants went out of their way to becloud the emerging scientific consensus.

— Edward Fitzpatrick, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2019
His flacks and surrogates hand out scraps of information grudgingly, infrequently, and beclouded by fragrant eructations of doublespeak.

— Charles Seife, Slate Magazine, 1 Mar. 2017

Definition of becloud

Verb

Add kale and cook, stirring often, until darkened in color and very tender, 7–9 minutes (garlic will break into even smaller pieces).

— Carla Lalli Music, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
Pour in the tomato puree, mix gently, partially cover, and cook until the puree darkens and thickens and has mostly been absorbed by the rice, about 3 minutes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of darken

Verb

While Peta protests at fashion week are nothing new, many were perplexed by the idea that wool should be removed from the supply chain.

— Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026
Nearly everyone outside Michigan was perplexed, or downright angry, about the outcome.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of perplex

Verb

We have been taught that such a system is too complex to dismantle, but it has been made complex to obfuscate the most obvious fact imaginable, which is that there is no justification, ever, for denying a sick person care.

— Elizabeth Nicholas, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026
Throughout the history of the game, as concerned parties sought evidence, some of football’s most powerful protectors obfuscated the problem.

— Emily Harrison, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of obfuscate

Verb

Many potential solutions — like features that would blur peoples’ faces automatically when recording or require their legal consent before uploading videos — would be challenging to implement and still wouldn’t fully address the risks.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
That result remains etched in the standings but is finally blurred from McVay's mind.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of blur

Browse Nearby Words

befitting

befog

befogged

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“Befog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befog. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of befog

verb

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