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
This description recalls what leadership expert Jason Wild previously told Fortune about how AI tools are probabilistic, befuddling managers everywhere.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026
Duchamp’s ensuing readymades, many of them iconic works of the Dada movement of the 1910s, continued to vex and befuddle.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Warren senior right-hander Peyton Balanag throws a pitch that can befuddle hitters.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Powell acknowledged he was befuddled by persistent gains in housing prices, considering the job market was weakening.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for befuddle
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026
Duchamp’s ensuing readymades, many of them iconic works of the Dada movement of the 1910s, continued to vex and befuddle.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Warren senior right-hander Peyton Balanag throws a pitch that can befuddle hitters.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Powell acknowledged he was befuddled by persistent gains in housing prices, considering the job market was weakening.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for befuddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddle
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Instead, the ideologues of Russian imperialism have turned to random musings and belligerent hate speech, which seems intended to confuse rather than convince.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
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Relocating a bird's nest is confusing for the parents, dangerous for the eggs, and, in most cases, against the law.—
Blythe Copeland,
Martha Stewart,
6 June 2026
Verb
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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
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For more than four minutes Darnold drove downfield, connecting on three of four passes, baffling the pass rushers, bleeding the clock, and by the time the Seahawks finally gave the ball back, the Rams had only 25 seconds to live.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Two experts said they were puzzled by the release records.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
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Tim Ream is looking at you, puzzled.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befuddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddle. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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