as in to perplex
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
an actor who's easily flummoxed by any changes in the script
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Recent Examples of flummox
The Biden administration soon appeared flummoxed by surging migration that caused chaos at the border, leading to public support for tougher restrictions.
—
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
Yet the parameters of Russia’s peace have been clear well before the 28-point proposal flummoxed Western capitals in November.
—Sergey Radchenko, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2025
The defensive front reinforced by Phillips and Smith flummoxed Love on a penultimate drive with a series of stunts that frequently struck the quarterback.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Aside from that, the playmaking has been largely predictable, devoid of the type of creative wrinkles needed to flummox opposing defenses.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flummox
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
Yet the parameters of Russia’s peace have been clear well before the 28-point proposal flummoxed Western capitals in November.
—Sergey Radchenko, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2025
The defensive front reinforced by Phillips and Smith flummoxed Love on a penultimate drive with a series of stunts that frequently struck the quarterback.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Aside from that, the playmaking has been largely predictable, devoid of the type of creative wrinkles needed to flummox opposing defenses.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flummox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flummox
Verb
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The disjunction between the abstract composition and the notion of self-portraiture appeared perplexing in its own right; its inoperability only exacerbated the viewer’s frustration and redoubled the artist’s impish provocation.—
Ara H. Merjian,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
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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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The canine, clearly confused, stared up, visibly bewildered and waiting patiently for the affection to finally land.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.—
Arthur Allen,
NPR,
9 Jan. 2026
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Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.—
Arthur Allen,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The 40-year-old cooks up ways to make quarterbacks miserable in his sleep, devising schemes that are meant to lure as much as they are intended to confuse.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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Canales-Pelaez said that local departments may be confusing administrative warrants with criminal ones, or overcomplying to avoid backlash from the state Legislature.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Her mysterious symptoms puzzled doctors, at least one of whom suggested the pain was psychosomatic.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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Further study is also needed to untangle one puzzling finding.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Berube was befuddled by the way his team started the third, a problem that lies at the feet of the players as well as the coach.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
14 Dec. 2025
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The husbands are befuddled by their countryside existence while their pregnant wives engage in a bizarre friendship.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
28 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flummox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flummox. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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