as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
the library patron was in obvious befuddlement over where to find the appropriate references
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Recent Examples of befuddlement
And at that point, ushered into the floating mists of non-consensus with murmurings of political unease regarding content or intellectual befuddlement regarding style, the briefly sighted, singular beast of language vanishes from the visible landscape.
—
Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Tunnel fits have become so valuable that the teams themselves post them on official social media channels, to the delight (and sometimes befuddlement) of fans.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Tunnel fits have become so valuable that the teams themselves post them on official social media channels, to the delight (and sometimes befuddlement) of fans.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddlement
Noun
-
While most associations have not encountered this situation to date, being informed and prepared will help prevent confusion, protect resident privacy, and reduce legal risk.—
Peter S. Sachs,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
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Some users have voiced anger at how the situation was handled, claiming that either Kalshi’s rules should have been communicated more clearly, or that its markets should have been more narrowly worded to avoid confusion.—
Terrence O'Brien,
The Verge,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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What sounds like a broadcaster’s signature was born from a son trying to reach his father through the fog of a degenerative disease.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Patchy fog may linger in the morning.—
Brandi D. Addison,
IndyStar,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Instead, three years after voting to support their own work stoppage against the major studios, the writers that marched alongside staff on the busy corner of Fairfax Avenue and 3rd Street expressed disappointment and bewilderment that this issue had not yet been resolved.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
6 Mar. 2026
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The surge has drawn the attention of influencers and media outlets alike, sparking reactions that range from laughter and bewilderment to outright anger.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befuddlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddlement. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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