as in perplexing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddling
Adjective
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Their silence is a bit perplexing, given that many of them claim to be focused on current events and trending topics.—
Christian Paz,
Vox,
14 Apr. 2025 -
The Dodgers’ offense is more talented than the last 10 days have indicated, which makes this stretch all the more perplexing.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Researchers are particularly focused on unraveling the puzzling interplay between gas content, magma pressure and lava flow dynamics.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
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Almost two years into his ordeal, Gould learned of an initiative at the National Institutes of Health that focuses on solving the country’s most puzzling medical cases.—
Jason Liebowitz,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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For the Congolese government, the ineffective Western responses follow a dismaying pattern.—
Michela Wrong,
Foreign Affairs,
3 Mar. 2025
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Americans, and a dismaying number of politicians, keep crying for a crackdown on crimes that aren’t happening.—
F.K. Plous,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The formula at the core of President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement that continues to rattle markets is bewildering economists, who say it is based on flawed assumptions.—
Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2025
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The ominous thriller received a second trailer on Tuesday (April 1) as the Toronto singer/actor took viewers further into his bewildering odyssey.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Jack, the first Black world heavyweight champion who is considered one of the most important boxers of all time, was active during the Jim Crow era, upsetting white supremacists with his success and his marriages to white women.—
Yinka Elujoba,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
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How upsetting is this to people who are national security professionals?—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Researching feels incomprehensible or inapplicable, especially as a business owner.—
Bree Manay,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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The answer may not be satisfying, but maybe that’s the point: the crime was always going to be incomprehensible.—
Bailey Seybolt,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Befuddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddling. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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