befuddle

verb

be·​fud·​dle bi-ˈfə-dᵊl 

bē-

befuddled; befuddling; befuddles

transitive verb

1

: to muddle or stupefy with or as if with drink

… befuddled with drink all the time.

—Ellen Glasgow

2

: confuse, perplex

a problem that still befuddles the experts

befuddlement

bi-ˈfə-dᵊl-mənt 

bē-

noun

Synonyms

• addle
• baffle
• bamboozle
• beat
• befog
• bemuse
• bewilder
• buffalo
• confound
• confuse
• discombobulate
• disorient
• flummox
• fox
• fuddle
• get
• gravel
• maze
• muddle
• muddy
• mystify
• perplex
• pose
• puzzle
• vex

Examples of befuddle in a Sentence

most of the applicants were befuddled by the wording of one of the questions on the driving test

Recent Examples on the Web

Kershaw befuddled the Dodgers’ biggest rival yet again, firing seven scoreless innings in an 11-5 victory on Saturday night that evened the first series of the season between the longtime foes. —Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 14 June 2025

Pochettino looked befuddled at his players’ casual approach in losses to Panama and Canada last month. —Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

During a period of apocalyptic turmoil, Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a teacher, and his ex-wife, Felicia (Karen Gillan), a nurse, are befuddled by the proliferation of numerous billboards, advertisements and TV ads thanking Charles Krantz — Chuck — for 39 great years. —Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 6 June 2025

While that record was enabled by the spectacle of some befuddling late escapes, it also was achieved despite pivotal offensive injuries and, well, personnel miscalculations. —Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

be- + fuddle

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for befuddle

• cuddle
• huddle
• muddle
• puddle

Kids Definition

befuddle

verb

be·​fud·​dle bi-ˈfəd-ᵊl 

befuddled; befuddling

-ˈfəd-liŋ,

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to dull the senses of with or as if with too much drink : stupefy

2

: confuse sense 1a, perplex

befuddlement

-mənt 

noun