befuddled 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈfə-dᵊld How to pronounce befuddled (audio)
Definition of befuddlednext
as in bewildered
suffering from mental confusion the perennially befuddled professor was always forgetting where she'd left her glasses

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

befuddled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of befuddle
as in baffled
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

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 befuddled
Adjective
The headlong rush of Na’s bonkers would-be international blockbuster left Cannes alternatively awed, befuddled and thrilled. — ABC News, 18 May 2026 This led to a flood of candidates, and befuddled state Democrats who failed to endorse one at their February convention in San Francisco. — Terry Collins, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Verb
Stainton Williams has been similarly befuddled by his interactions with Citizens. — Mario Ariza, ProPublica, 15 Sep. 2025 But behind closed doors, grievances are simmering over programming, budgets, and dueling marketing campaigns that befuddled the American public. — Philip Wang, Time, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for befuddled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddled
  1. bewildered
  2. baffled
  3. dazed
  4. puzzled
  5. confused
  6. perplexed
  7. stunned
  8. distracted
Adjective
  • Away from the bewildered rancher calling out in surprise, away from the Appaloosa.
    — Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
  • Massachusetts State Police ushered thousands of bewildered attendees into the tunnel.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of bewildered
Verb
  • Pz’ spends much of his proper debut, No Turning Back, equally baffled by his good fortune and ready to fasten it to his side with a Gucci strap before anyone else can take it.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 3 July 2026
  • His focus on the voting bill, instead of signing one that tackles a top issue for voters, has left some GOP strategists baffled.
    — David Hickey, NBC news, 2 July 2026
Definition of baffled
Adjective
  • Like Mahrez, Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer seemed slightly dazed following the topsy-turvy turn of events.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2026
  • Humans of all ages, in fact, stare dazed into glowing screens.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Definition of dazed
Verb
  • Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Gold not glittering As for gold, while the yellow metal has traditionally been sought out by kings and paupers throughout history alike, the anaemic gold price has puzzled experts.
    — Lim Hui Jie,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 July 2026
  • When Hilary Streever relayed the agents' message to David, he was puzzled.
    — Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 1 July 2026
Definition of puzzled
Adjective
  • In Timon, by contrast, everything is a rush, everything is broke-off and confused, everything is hurtling through suffering towards oblivion.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • But when non-negotiable tasks are framed as questions, children can become confused about whether the task is actually optional.
    — Siggie Cohen, CNBC, 4 July 2026
Definition of confused
Verb
  • And Wednesday’s doubleheader — thanks to a Monday rainout that perplexed Counsell — certainly didn’t help the pitching staff.
    — Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
  • None of this is meant to demean Byram, who’ll likely now face extra scrutiny from a fanbase that’s surely perplexed by this move, especially once the Blackhawks extend his contract, possibly to the $10 million range.
    — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of perplexed
Adjective
  • And when Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte evened the score with a right footed shot from a difficult angle at the 59-minute mark, the stunned stadium went silent, minus two small spirited clots of Cape Verde fans in the East end zone seats.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
  • Fans jumped up and down after Folarin Balogun punched in what seemed to be the game’s first goal near the 31-minute mark, then expressed stunned disbelief when the striker was deemed offsides.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of stunned
Adjective
  • Investigators don’t believe that the driver was intoxicated, but distracted driving has not been ruled out as a potential cause of the accident, according to police.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
  • Although Belgium coach Rudi Garcia and the Belgian federation had expressed dismay at FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s red card ban, Garcia said his team was neither distracted nor motivated by the controversy.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Definition of distracted

Browse Nearby Words

befuddle
befuddled
befuddlement
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Cite this Entry

“Befuddled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddled. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of befuddled for Spanish Speakers

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