bewildered 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈwil-dərd How to pronounce bewildered (audio)
Definition of bewilderednext
as in dazed
suffering from mental confusion the bewildered child wandered aimlessly around the playground

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bewildered

2 of 2

verb

past tense of bewilder
as in puzzled
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty the change in policy seems to have bewildered many of our customers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bewildered
Adjective
Five successive heat waves this year and a lack of any significant rainfall in London since June have left the city — and much of the country — stultified and bewildered. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026 Saturday will be Simpson’s first chance to make an impression on fans – some of whom were left bewildered by his selection, considering the ever-rock-solid standing of Stafford. — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
In Texas, Spain bewildered France, neutralising what has looked like the most formidable attack in the tournament. — Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 18 July 2026 Former Republican state senator Jeff Brandes, who now leads the Florida Policy Project, said he was bewildered by the governor's proposal. — Jim Defede, CBS News, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bewildered
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bewildered
  1. dazed
  2. puzzled
  3. confused
  4. baffled
  5. stunned
  6. perplexed
  7. distracted
  8. dizzy
Adjective
  • Laiken Randolph appeared dazed, and possibly on drugs, officers remarked.
    — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Hsu maps a Los Angeles of leftovers and castoffs; portraits of friends and strangers in the street are full of dazed, inscrutable expressions.
    — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of dazed
Verb
  • The photo also showed two others associated with Kremlev, part of a larger group of Russians whose presence puzzled some attendees.
    — Alex Mierjeski, ProPublica, 19 Sep. 2026
  • As Friday afternoon turned to evening, some reporters at the White House were puzzled by the president’s claim, given the lack of follow-up action.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of puzzled
Adjective
  • But one of them, perhaps too slow, or too confused, lingered a second longer, and the claw opened and snapped shut.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • But people on the streets of Dorohusk seemed more confused about their options in case of a real attack.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of confused
Verb
  • Her home isn’t in the highway’s path, but she was still baffled by council’s decision.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Some Broward commissioners said they are baffled as to why statewide prosecutors would be concerned about the county contracts or their desire to save money by cutting ties with the Sheriff’s Office.
    — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of baffled
Adjective
  • This left us a little stunned wondering how large and coordinated the attack might be.
    — Daniel Jernigan, STAT, 26 Sep. 2026
  • King seemed stunned that an actual Black person had views that did not conform to her preconception of what a Black man should think.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of stunned
Verb
  • California‘s seven Supreme Court justices appeared by turns perplexed by and incredulous of those theories during oral arguments last month.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • They were perplexed at first, flummoxed, but pleasant, and unfortunately for them, already long gone from the airport.
    — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of perplexed
Adjective
  • When leaders are rushing and distracted, people quietly withdraw.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • This is a film that allows, wants, even demands that the viewer become distracted, tired, and fidgety.
    — Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of distracted
Adjective
  • What that film didn’t foretell was the Pakistani-American director’s fluent command of dizzy action setpieces.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Several other instances of illness linked to the MBG program have cropped up, including a group of 15 elementary schoolers and a school principal who became nauseous and dizzy after a meal in the Aceh province’s Bener Meriah regency, per the AP.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of dizzy

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Cite this Entry

“Bewildered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bewildered. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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