fuddle

verb

ˈfə-dᵊl How to pronounce fuddle (audio)
Definition of fuddlenext
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty the hotel staff is completely fuddled by the guest's bizarre requests

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 fuddle In colliding with a new type of animal, a chemical that might once have served to fuddle the wits of pests has been transformed into a glittering lure. — Gareth Cook, Scientific American, 24 June 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fuddle
  1. confuse
  2. baffle
  3. bewilder
  4. perplex
  5. puzzle
  6. muddle
  7. discombobulate
Verb
  • The unnamed species was apparently a victim of a creature known as a Manhunter — not to be confused with the cartoons’ friendly, green, Oreo-munching Martian Manhunter.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • While preparing to enter the state in February, Buc-ee’s sued the northern Ohio holding company for Mickey Mart gas stations, arguing its Mickey the Moose logo could be confused with Buc-ee.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • The scene never fails to baffle the senses as the path rises up about a thousand feet from the valley floor.
    — Kalpana Mohan, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • She is baffled by the way her friends Moe and Fumina rail against their parents, especially when Yuko is always holding back at home, forever walking on eggshells.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of baffle
Verb
  • That’s a common sentiment from a touring superstar, but there’s a sense that Kahan really might be as happily bewildered as the rest of us about how songs this personal and cloudy came to captivate even sunny California.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The threats are constantly evolving, layering upon themselves with bewildering speed.
    — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of bewilder
Verb
  • As crime units and crime tape surrounded the house, neighbors who knew the officer are perplexed.
    — Anna Meiler, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Gibson Nash, 21, was charged with first-degree murder after a series of perplexing events eventually led police to his mother’s bloodied body.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of perplex
Verb
  • Shortstop Jeremy Peña’s puzzling decision not to attempt a throw home as the go-ahead run scored only exacerbated matters.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • As the days get shorter and cooler, a simple evening spent puzzling, snacking, and talking may be exactly the kind of gathering everyone needs.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of puzzle
Verb
  • This year’s group is setting up to be one of the more difficult puzzles for Bills general manager Brandon Beane to solve, as the bubble is muddled across the roster.
    — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • If the watermarks become a catch-all for any Claude use, from spellchecks to complete rewrites, Anthropic’s solution will likely frustrate users by going further than necessary to label content in ways that could inadvertently muddle provenance.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of muddle
Verb
  • Touching on different tones is a great way to keep viewers discombobulated and primed for a scare.
    — William Earl, Variety, 27 July 2026
  • While the car transmits every ripple in the road, its trick Multimatic dampers round off imperfections beautifully, so the chassis never feels discombobulated.
    — Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 July 2026
Definition of discombobulate

Browse Nearby Words

fud
fuddle
fuddled
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Cite this Entry

“Fuddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fuddle. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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