BEFUDDLE Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

befuddle

verb

bi-ˈfə-dᵊl

Definition of befuddle

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 befuddle That prevents your privacy and befuddles trackers that bundle your location and demographic data along with your online activities to sell your profile to advertisers and brokers. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 10 June 2026 Needless to say, the Pinnacles' beauty has continued to both befuddle and astonish visitors today. — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2026 And, of course, onstage in his act, in which the 47-year-old comedian from Old Hickory, Tennessee, adopts the persona of a middle-aged everyschlub befuddled by modern life and expectations of basic competence. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026 This befuddling trend, among others, was discovered through digital hall passes piloted at the school in partnership with Raptor Technologies’ Smart Pass system, a technology that’s grown increasingly popular at area schools, said Carr. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for befuddle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddle

Verb

As fans of the comedian know, Ali G is a streetwise interviewer whose hip hop slang often bewilders guests such as Noam Chomsky, Andy Rooney and Newt Gingrich.

— Brent Lang, Variety, 7 July 2026
But these casting decisions are bewildering, to say the least, and will certainly cost the film ticket sales and potential revenue.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of bewilder

Verb

Workers at Doherty Staffing Solutions were perplexed when strangers started calling the office in response to recruitment texts — texts the firm never sent.

— Bill Lukitsch, Boston Herald, 13 July 2026
The Wiener Kitchen diners weren’t the only Kansas Citians perplexed by this description.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Definition of perplex

Verb

The Blazers say a handshake agreement with Mayor Keith Wilson, the city and the county was made in March, and are confused why there has been a shift.

— Jason Quick, New York Times, 20 July 2026
The figure who experiences every prompt to begin the process as a threat rather than a relief has confused the cause with the self.

— Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026

Definition of confuse

Verb

While Loathe’s baffling compositional choices may jump out first, the album’s most glaring flaw is its production.

— Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
Meanwhile, McGrew agreed to adjustments, including adding baffles to reduce sound from a attached generator for the tower and replacing tower fencing that incorporated barbed wire with taller, more natural looking fencing.

— Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026