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
Expecting to catch their limit this week, the Dodgers were instead befuddled by the Miami Marlins, who had most of the answers from the mound and just enough from the plate.
—
Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for befuddle
Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for befuddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddle
Verb
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The narrator and his wife find that their attachment to the charismatic and cryptic Chibi grows with the cat’s increasing visits, in a way that bewilders them but somehow bonds them closer together.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
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Similarly, the defensively bewildering 9-6 loss the Wild suffered to start Round 2 in Colorado set the tone for five games that would ultimately be their undoing.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
3 June 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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As a longtime rider I, too, am perplexed by regular displays of poor customer service by CTA employees.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Bryan was erroneously released when he was confused with another inmate with the same last name during the jail's overnight release process and his identity was not properly verified, according to the sheriff's office.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
20 Aug. 2025
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Children who have experienced traumatic stress may be restless, fidgety, or have trouble paying attention and staying organized, symptoms often confused with ADHD.—
Patricia Fersch,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Netflix’s new three-part docuseries Amy Bradley Is Missing, premiering July 16, explores the cold case that’s baffled the Bradley family and investigators for over 27 years.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
16 July 2025
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According to VanderWilk, when the shelter heard back from the microchip company and confirmed Trixie's registered owner, Olga Heigis, lived in Germany, they were baffled.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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This realization, resulting from placing old data from Voyager 2 under new scrutiny, could help explain several puzzling aspects of Uranus's magnetic envelope.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
10 Dec. 2025
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The decision to omit Roblox was seen by many Australians as a puzzling choice, given recent reports alleging children have been targeted by adult predators inside its games.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Befuddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddle. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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