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 Jeffrey Dean Morgan tells TVLine that co-star Lauren Cohan has been bewildered, too — frequently. Charlie Mason, TVLine, 10 May 2025 Babb acknowledged that the team was bewildered at the stunning turn of events. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025 They were bewildered for me, and so was all the other staff. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025 Small wonder many of the migrants are disoriented and bewildered. Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bewilder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bewilder
Verb
  • The stock comeback of the last two months has perplexed many investors, who remain befuddled by the market's insistence to look past conflict, tariffs and major challenges to the economic outlook, to make short work of recovering losses from their April lows.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 20 June 2025
  • That wasn't enough to heal Carol's injury, however, leaving her owner perplexed about how to help the pup.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • The man is Jack Ryan, not to be confused with the Jack Ryan dreamed up by Tom Clancy.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • There are at least eight varieties of Lambrusco grapes (not to be confused with Vitis labrusca of North America), of which the best known, oldest and most abundant is Lambrusco di Sorbara.
    John Mariani, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • But Bird also throws a devastating slider to right-handers and a curveball that can baffle.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
  • The sheriff is as baffled as anyone else, wondering how anyone as recognizable as Roy could disappear in plain sight.
    Dateline NBC, NBC news, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Particularly in the Eastern Conference, where the window continues to widen because of nightmare injuries, free agency departures, and puzzling decisions to fire head coaches (looking at you, Knicks).
    Shane Young, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • There is a small and puzzling group of contract manufacturers — Flex , Celestica and Jabil — with stock moves that defy logic.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bewilder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bewilder. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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