as in perplexes
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 befuddles
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
Making the glass dome is the part that befuddles most of them.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 10 June 2026
Making the glass dome is the part that befuddles most of them.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddles
Verb
-
But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For three years straight, he’s kept up a pace that bewilders the industry’s leading comics.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
There is a version of leadership that confuses visibility with impact, equating big initiatives and dramatic turnarounds with strong leadership.—
Monica Cutia,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
The whole concept of toxic fandom confuses me because, outside of the anger and backwards thinking, because who cares about a movie franchise that much?—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Using humane methods like squirrel baffles and tree nets can effectively keep squirrels out of your fruit trees.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
-
Multiple baffles within the bladder help keep the liquid from sloshing around excessively, while a wide waterproof zipper across the top makes for easy filling, cleaning, and adding of electrolytes.—
Ben Coxworth
May 11,
New Atlas,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
What still puzzles me, amid all these noteworthy projects, is Dudamel’s way with the standard repertory.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
These word puzzles all covertly reference the years-old disappearance of Charlie, Martha’s brilliant older sister.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befuddles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddles. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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