bewildering 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of bewilderingnext
as in perplexing

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Dissimilar Words

bewildering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bewilder
as in baffling
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty the change in policy seems to have bewildered many of our customers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 bewildering
Adjective
Proving academic achievement through Microcredentials presents significant challenges for graduates, who have to access a bewildering range of online platforms to share their accomplishments, in addition to the familiar ritual of requesting an academic transcript from a university registrar. — Bryan Penprase, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 In no uncertain terms, the absence of those issues is bewildering, erodes the entire report’s credibility, and demands an explanation. — Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Verb
McNutt housed some 700 kids — about one-third of the population of French Lick — and Bird found the campus outside the dormitory walls bewildering. — Keith O'Brien, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2026 Even a principled, well-meaning actor like Claude could face bewildering ethical conflicts. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bewildering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bewildering
  1. perplexing
  2. baffling
  3. confusing
  4. puzzling
  5. confounding
  6. muddled
  7. frustrating
  8. disorganized
Adjective
  • His off-court activity in the final days before he was shipped to Milwaukee included a classy and thoughtful farewell message on Monday but also included perplexing behavior that triggered a social media backlash days earlier.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • There’s something so beguiling about the obvious irony of the title, the perplexing insistence of the narrator, and the comic persistence of the ghost.
    — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
Definition of perplexing
Verb
  • The Illinois numbers, especially this year’s, are baffling experts.
    — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026
  • For more than four minutes Darnold drove downfield, connecting on three of four passes, baffling the pass rushers, bleeding the clock, and by the time the Seahawks finally gave the ball back, the Rams had only 25 seconds to live.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Definition of baffling
Adjective
  • That disconnect may be confusing to consumers and investors who assume the stock market and economy mirror one another, moving in lockstep.
    — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 July 2026
  • Actors play multiple roles, which can be confusing, but red or white roses sometimes worn by the characters help keep us on track.
    — Marina Harss, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
Definition of confusing
Verb
  • Just after send time yesterday morning, the Timberwolves made a puzzling splash by trading for Hornets star LaMelo Ball.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • And the performances from South Korea at the World Cup so far have been puzzling, given the talent at manager Hong Myung-bo’s disposal.
    — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of puzzling
Adjective
  • Grief is one of the most confounding aspects of the human experience.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
  • In 2021, one year into D’Amaro’s tenure and following COVID shutdowns, Disney did away with FastPass and introduced a confounding and very costly series of pay-to-skip passes, which require timing advanced booking of limited slots in these formerly free-to-enter shorter lines.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of confounding
Adjective
  • Running on a seamless Fire TV operating platform, its Total HDR Solution natively balances complex Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, and HLG video feeds to remove muddled shadows (big win).
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026
  • Slayton agrees, noting that muddled mint or basil make particularly refreshing additions.
    — Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026
Definition of muddled
Adjective
  • The resulting video review took three minutes, frustrating Mbappé, who wanted to take the kick much sooner.
    — Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 9 July 2026
  • What makes this so frustrating is that the logic often sounds responsible.
    — Raj Ananthanpillai, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of frustrating
Adjective
  • The midfield, which had been the team’s strength, its purring engine, was disorganized.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
  • Its compact size and functional interior and exterior pockets will make zipping through airport security or stopping for gas on road trips a breeze — no more digging through disorganized totes to locate your wallet and phone.
    — Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Definition of disorganized

Browse Nearby Words

bewilderedness
bewildering
bewilderment
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Cite this Entry

“Bewildering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bewildering. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bewildering

Nglish: Translation of bewildering for Spanish Speakers

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