as in perplexes
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the change in policy seems to have bewildered many of our customers
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Recent Examples of bewilders
The narrator and his wife find that their attachment to the charismatic and cryptic Chibi grows with the cat’s increasing visits, in a way that bewilders them but somehow bonds them closer together.
—
Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Nandi is experiencing severe insomnia, tremors and psychosis, and her quickly deteriorating condition bewilders the emergency room staff.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
The designs were puckish and gender-bending, evoking both awe and repulsion—the sort of clothing that titillates lovers of conceptual fashion and bewilders the uninitiated.
—Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
Wedged in the far southeastern corner of the bottom of the continent, between South Africa and Mozambique, Eswatini is the last absolute monarchy in Africa, a status that bewilders modernizers and beguiles traditionalists.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 Aug. 2025
Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Nandi is experiencing severe insomnia, tremors and psychosis, and her quickly deteriorating condition bewilders the emergency room staff.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
The designs were puckish and gender-bending, evoking both awe and repulsion—the sort of clothing that titillates lovers of conceptual fashion and bewilders the uninitiated.
—Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
Wedged in the far southeastern corner of the bottom of the continent, between South Africa and Mozambique, Eswatini is the last absolute monarchy in Africa, a status that bewilders modernizers and beguiles traditionalists.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bewilders
Verb
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But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There is a version of leadership that confuses visibility with impact, equating big initiatives and dramatic turnarounds with strong leadership.—
Monica Cutia,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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The whole concept of toxic fandom confuses me because, outside of the anger and backwards thinking, because who cares about a movie franchise that much?—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Using humane methods like squirrel baffles and tree nets can effectively keep squirrels out of your fruit trees.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
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Multiple baffles within the bladder help keep the liquid from sloshing around excessively, while a wide waterproof zipper across the top makes for easy filling, cleaning, and adding of electrolytes.—
Ben Coxworth
May 11,
New Atlas,
11 May 2026
Verb
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What still puzzles me, amid all these noteworthy projects, is Dudamel’s way with the standard repertory.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
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These word puzzles all covertly reference the years-old disappearance of Charlie, Martha’s brilliant older sister.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bewilders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bewilders. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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