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
During a period of apocalyptic turmoil, Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a teacher, and his ex-wife, Felicia (Karen Gillan), a nurse, are befuddled by the proliferation of numerous billboards, advertisements and TV ads thanking Charles Krantz — Chuck — for 39 great years.
—
Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 6 June 2025
While that record was enabled by the spectacle of some befuddling late escapes, it also was achieved despite pivotal offensive injuries and, well, personnel miscalculations.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025
Cameron Lindsay, a former federal prison warden, was befuddled that Massey was locked in a first-floor cell of the facility, saying that his past warranted far more attention from corrections staff.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
Although you might be temporarily befuddled and overwhelmed, nothing will get in your way.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for befuddle
Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 6 June 2025
While that record was enabled by the spectacle of some befuddling late escapes, it also was achieved despite pivotal offensive injuries and, well, personnel miscalculations.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025
Cameron Lindsay, a former federal prison warden, was befuddled that Massey was locked in a first-floor cell of the facility, saying that his past warranted far more attention from corrections staff.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
Although you might be temporarily befuddled and overwhelmed, nothing will get in your way.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for befuddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddle
Verb
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Still, my friends and I, specifically those who were teen-agers or older at the time of 9/11, have been bewildered by the Islamophobia of the moment, which feels especially vintage and plainspoken, not massaged into obfuscatory rhetoric or angling for any greater point.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
13 July 2025
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In the moment, Kyle looked bewildered that the musician had singled him out, smiling with his mouth open in shock.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Through the years, dozens of actresses have portrayed Superman's love interest and confidante Lois Lane, an award-winning reporter both perplexed and entranced by the man also (secretly) known as Clark Kent.—
Grace Gavilanes,
People.com,
11 July 2025
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The aftermath What perplexes her, Nicole Fech said, is that Anderson went out of her way to call the camp a year and a half after the family left the church.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Amazon $650 Samsung $650 Best Buy Not to be confused with the Galaxy S24 series, this midrange smartphone from late 2024 has some elements of the flagship phone, but makes some sacrifices to get the price down.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
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Hence, Nicole left the party, despondent at having been rejected and confused at the cold reception.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Money terms and concepts continue to baffle people, many of whom are seeking answers through online searches.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
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The first set was particularly puzzling, with de Minaur breaking Djokovic’s serve three times to take a one-set lead in the match.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
7 July 2025
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Dutch Freiberger told The Republic at the time that he was puzzled by how his son could have walked to the quarry completely nude.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Befuddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddle. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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