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
By Becky Krystal The Washington Post Cooking chicken can flummox even the more confident home cooks among us.
—
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Health care prices are on the rise, and patients are flummoxed that even insurance companies aren’t doing more to control costs.
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2026
Weeks later, we’re still flummoxed by our magician’s final trick.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Something about his presence flummoxed her, a feeling that never faded.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flummox
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Health care prices are on the rise, and patients are flummoxed that even insurance companies aren’t doing more to control costs.
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2026
Weeks later, we’re still flummoxed by our magician’s final trick.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Something about his presence flummoxed her, a feeling that never faded.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flummox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flummox
Verb
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Their presence prompted nervousness among beachgoers and surfers sharing the water, but marveled researchers who were perplexed by the abnormally longer stay close to shore.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
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These are the brutally real snapshots of a man well acquainted with—but still perplexed by—the powerful and destructive forces that lord over our lives.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Now, many millions of Americans are bewildered by events.—
David French,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This inversion explains a host of baffling political and cultural phenomena of late.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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On Sunday, Roan responded on Instagram, seemingly baffled by the swirling controversy.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This device is a high-tech centrifuge that simulates microgravity by spinning vials with samples around two axes, effectively confusing the cells inside as to their position in space.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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In addition, DraftKings argues that consumers aren’t confused by DraftKings’ use of March Madness.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But even as Roeder puzzled publicly over the future, Neurosis’ second life was slowly beginning with him.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
26 Mar. 2026
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The remains of these unknown creatures often puzzled their discoverers.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Warren senior right-hander Peyton Balanag throws a pitch that can befuddle hitters.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
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Powell acknowledged he was befuddled by persistent gains in housing prices, considering the job market was weakening.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flummox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flummox. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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