as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
most of the applicants were befuddled by the wording of one of the questions on the driving test
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Recent Examples of befuddle
The idea of a Russian doing academic research on Iraq was utterly befuddling to Maher and his colleagues.
—
Elizabeth Tsurkov, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
Berube was befuddled by the way his team started the third, a problem that lies at the feet of the players as well as the coach.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2025
The husbands are befuddled by their countryside existence while their pregnant wives engage in a bizarre friendship.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2025
Technically, anyway, the Chiefs-Colts game on Sunday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium wasn’t a knockout game for the befuddling 5-5 home team in jeopardy of missing the playoffs after three straight Super Bowl berths.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for befuddle
Elizabeth Tsurkov, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
Berube was befuddled by the way his team started the third, a problem that lies at the feet of the players as well as the coach.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2025
The husbands are befuddled by their countryside existence while their pregnant wives engage in a bizarre friendship.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2025
Technically, anyway, the Chiefs-Colts game on Sunday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium wasn’t a knockout game for the befuddling 5-5 home team in jeopardy of missing the playoffs after three straight Super Bowl berths.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for befuddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddle
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
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Oswalt confesses being bewildered by Bamford at first.—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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She also was perplexed at the city’s inaction while noting a new leader offers a fresh perspective.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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The citizens of Texas are confusing hospitality for complacency.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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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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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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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
“Befuddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddle. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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