Synonyms of befuddling

befuddling 1 of 2

adjective

as in perplexing

Related Words

• perplexing
• confounding
• confusing
• dismaying
• disconcerting
• bewildering
• upsetting
• incomprehensible
• discomfiting
• extraordinary
• incredible
• inconceivable
• unbelievable
• unlikely
• flustering
• spectacular
• muddling
• unimaginable
• unthinkable
• wondrous
• phenomenal
• staggering
• stupendous
• nonplussing
• unusual
• breathtaking
• wonderful
• unexpected
• sensational
• sublime
• rare
• miraculous
• prodigious
• uncommon
• portentous
• awesome
• unforeseen
• marvelous
• unwonted
• unanticipated
• startling
• surprising
• awful
• noticeable
• stupefying
• unique
• outstanding
• notable
• impressive
• conspicuous
• remarkable
• heart-stopping
• astonishing
• astounding
• jolting
• dumbfounding
• fabulous
• amazing
• jarring
• striking
• flabbergasting
• singular
• unannounced
• jaw-dropping
• shocking
• stunning
• blindsiding
• eye-opening

Dissimilar Words

• unsurprising
• common
• typical
• normal
• ordinary
• usual
• customary
• mundane
• unremarkable
• unexceptional

befuddling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of befuddle

as in baffling

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

• baffling
• puzzling
• bewildering
• perplexing
• confusing
• mystifying
• embarrassing
• vexing
• confounding
• bemusing
• flummoxing
• disorienting
• disturbing
• discombobulating
• stunning
• muddling
• bamboozling
• flustering
• rattling
• fuddling
• bothering
• posing
• upsetting
• muddying
• addling
• befogging
• unsettling
• mazing
• getting
• graveling
• beating
• disconcerting
• foxing
• buffaloing
• distressing
• blowing one's mind
• discomfiting
• stumping
• dismaying
• mortifying
• sticking
• disquieting
• discomforting
• going to one's head
• perturbing
• abashing
• misleading
• agitating
• deceiving
• fazing
• beguiling
• unhinging
• nonplussing
• discountenancing
• misguiding
• tricking
• weirding out
• fooling
• deluding
• discomposing
• humbugging
• duping
• gulling
• hoodwinking
• hoaxing
• chagrining
• snowing
• cozening
• taking in
• stringing along

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfying
• assuring
• reassuring
• informing
• enlightening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of befuddling

Adjective

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

Among them is Xander Schauffele, who had a befuddling ball-striking day. — Justin Ray, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2026

The befuddling ballroom renovations are one thing, but the recent unrest in Minnesota is something entirely different. — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2026

McCarthy had shown flashes of brilliance during the season but his inability to connect with star wide receiver Justin Jefferson had been a befuddling question mark throughout the season. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025

That's why makes Seattle's decision to part ways with Martinez that much more befuddling. — Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

Verb

Two weeks after befuddling football fans from Duluth to Daytona Beach, Texas PAC engineered an even more straightforward placement by snapping up a unit in NBC’s Sunday Night Football. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Vincent Carchietta / Imagn Images via Reuters Connect NEW YORK — Tuesday night made the New York Yankees’ decision not to add at least one high-leverage reliever at the trade deadline look questionable at best, and befuddling at worst. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

The 1,000-person guest list was impressive, expansive and, occasionally, befuddling. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 4 July 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

Shares are erasing some of those two-day losses on Monday, but our overarching point about the befuddling post-earnings market reaction holds true. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026

The left-hander from California struck out nine Michigan State Spartans in Sunday's 4-0 victory at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, befuddling his overmatched victims with an electric breaking ball. — David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026

Many applicants have received identical messages lately, befuddling students as well as lab heads who may be used to hearing about rejections but not a string of applications simply returned without review. — Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 11 Feb. 2026

He was less intimidated by its befuddling organization and had grown accustomed to the antiquated spellings and the nearly illegible, unpunctuated scribblings of harried seventeenth-century officials. — Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026