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
Here, clouds of stars and dark interstellar dust combine in a bewildering array as seen in binoculars and telescopes. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 26 June 2026 Trump’s proposal for a National Garden of American Heroes, where visitors could commune with statues of 250 historic figures, is simply bewildering. — Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026
Verb
There aren’t many ways to earn a club’s first win better than bewildering the league’s defending champions at their place. — Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026 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 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
  • Perhaps the most perplexing aspect of Craig’s performance was his limited rushing.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
  • That’s still the expectation, though the last several days have certainly been perplexing, if not necessarily worrisome.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of perplexing
Verb
  • Despite some protests about a dog contributing to the game, Buddy — clad in a bright blue jersey and two pairs of basketball kicks — scores baffling basket after baffling basket, leaving the other team shocked.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
  • While Loathe’s baffling compositional choices may jump out first, the album’s most glaring flaw is its production.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
Definition of baffling
Adjective
  • Her coaching staff has worn IM8 swag, though things can get confusing because her coach, Anton Dubrov, is now part of the Eight Sleep team.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The decade-long fight — including the defeat of county efforts to keep the sand open to all, flip-flopping state laws and landowner lawsuits — has left beachgoers to navigate a confusing patchwork of beach access.
    — Debbie Elliott, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of confusing
Verb
  • Hollows haven’t been found elsewhere on planets in our solar system, and with no wind or water to form the thousands of puzzling depressions, scientists want to know what forces sculpted them.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Polite, slightly puzzling debates over the merits of using concrete in Africa muffle the period’s scalding passions and incandescent dreams.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of puzzling
Adjective
  • Its study of dark matter and dark energy could also give scientists new insights into two of the most confounding puzzles in astronomy.
    — Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Grief is one of the most confounding aspects of the human experience.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of confounding
Adjective
  • Be sure to order the Horse Thief cocktail, whose proceeds support Barb Philipps’ Saving Gracie Foundation, mixed from Casamigos Tequila, High West Campfire Scotch Blend Whisky, chartreuse, ginger syrup, muddled blackberries, and lime.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Running on a seamless Fire TV operating platform, its Total HDR Solution natively balances complex Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, and HLG video feeds to eliminate muddled shadows.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of muddled
Adjective
  • The other frustrating part about the New England run game was the way it was called so conservatively by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Inflation has shown some signs of easing in recent months but is still high, frustrating consumers who are struggling with more expensive gas, groceries, clothing and other essentials.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of frustrating
Adjective
  • Those who managed to secure release under habeas corpus brought back accounts of harrowing, disorganized odysseys through an ad-hoc mass-detention bureaucracy.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Dolly was no more than disorganized storms in the Caribbean, expected to head west over the next few days.
    — Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 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 12 Sep. 2026.

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