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
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 Gasly seems faintly bewildered by the designation. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Apr. 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
  • When the dazed young woman reels off quotes from an obscure self-help book, her new acolytes take her words as gnomic wisdom.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The cops arrived hours past midnight, turning on the lights to reveal an army of dazed, squinting faces.
    — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of dazed
Verb
  • Researchers have been puzzled by the intricacies of the genome, especially noncoding DNA—the 98 percent of DNA that doesn’t code for specific proteins but still plays a major role in the body’s function.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Authorities were puzzled but eventually determined a leading cause.
    — Betsy Joles, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of puzzled
Adjective
  • The event was somewhat shambolic, with confused chefs stopping for selfies with Bibendum as the host tried to move things along.
    — Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The adoption of this policy came very late in the summer and after a more tentative earlier policy that mainly confused educators and parents.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of confused
Verb
  • Her unconventional breakdancing moves during her final performance against Lithuania’s Dominika Banevič (B-Girl Nicka) baffled audiences at home and cemented her as a meme royalty.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Host Kara Robinson Chamberlain, a true crime influencer, kidnapping survivor and former law enforcement officer, investigated the killing that has baffled Liz's family, friends and the community for seven years.
    — Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of baffled
Adjective
  • Chelsea and Everton were left stunned after Monaco called off the sale of Lamine Camara to the former English club, only for his team-mate and USMNT striker Folarin Balogun to pull out of a move to the latter.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • One of his cousins raises a fist in triumph as everyone files out, completely stunned that this day actually arrived.
    — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of stunned
Verb
  • Nearly everyone outside Michigan was perplexed, or downright angry, about the outcome.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Others are perplexed at the meshing of fact (Wat Tyler and the Revolt) and fiction (Robin Hood).
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of perplexed
Adjective
  • His first 12 came under the supervision of a coach who was, to put it as gently as possible, somewhat distracted from his job.
    — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Troopers say they are focused on pulling over and ticketing drivers for distracted and dangerous driving.
    — Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of distracted
Adjective
  • Most patients feel dizzy, nauseated and weak within 30 to 60 minutes.
    — Prayan Pokharel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The incident comes just weeks after Richie was similarly forced to postpone two shows after becoming dizzy during a performance in Minnesota in June.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 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 11 Sep. 2026.

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