Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bewilder differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bewilder are confound, distract, dumbfound, nonplus, perplex, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

Where would confound be a reasonable alternative to bewilder?

The meanings of confound and bewilder largely overlap; however, confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When would distract be a good substitute for bewilder?

In some situations, the words distract and bewilder are roughly equivalent. However, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When might dumbfound be a better fit than bewilder?

While the synonyms dumbfound and bewilder are close in meaning, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

When is it sensible to use nonplus instead of bewilder?

Although the words nonplus and bewilder have much in common, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

When can perplex be used instead of bewilder?

The synonyms perplex and bewilder are sometimes interchangeable, but perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

In what contexts can puzzle take the place of bewilder?

The words puzzle and bewilder can be used in similar contexts, but puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

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 bewilder As Epstein continues to dog his presidency, Trump says he’s bewildered by the attention. Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 25 July 2025 We are bewildered with taking action regarding energy and climate change, even though suggestions and answers have been available for over 50 years. Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2025 Still, my friends and I, specifically those who were teen-agers or older at the time of 9/11, have been bewildered by the Islamophobia of the moment, which feels especially vintage and plainspoken, not massaged into obfuscatory rhetoric or angling for any greater point. Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 13 July 2025 In the moment, Kyle looked bewildered that the musician had singled him out, smiling with his mouth open in shock. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bewilder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bewilder
Verb
  • Many historians have been perplexed by how such a seemingly simple man as Shakespeare could have written works of such grandeur and depth.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Norman is perplexed by shootings like this.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • This decision could confuse your friends.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The season ended with the two attending a sleepover at Cody's house after his mom confused Beavis and Butt-Head with her son's friends.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That’s baffling to me that it was even checked.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Willis, a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker who starred for the San Francisco 49ers, was baffled by Jerry Jones sending Parsons to Green Bay.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After getting entangled in a puzzling murder, the two go on the run to solve the case while also trying to piece their relationship back together.
    James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
  • This mystery puzzled scientists because ice was not supposed to behave like that.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bewilder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bewilder. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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