as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
most of the applicants were befuddled by the wording of one of the questions on the driving test
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of befuddle
The 30-year-old rode his befuddling changeup to a career-low 1.25 ERA with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024, despite making only 22 appearances because of a back injury.
—
Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
The Vanderbilt offense that befuddled Alabama and did enough to win at Kentucky and Auburn found answers early.
—Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 1 Dec. 2024
But even though crises and conflicts have reordered the United States’ immediate regional priorities, Washington should not forget that major internal problems continue to befuddle Egypt.
—Michael Wahid Hanna, Foreign Affairs, 26 Nov. 2024
On the other end, the Vikings befuddled maligned Titans quarterback Will Levis with exotic looks before the snap that appeared to break his brain for prolonged stretches.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 17 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for befuddle 
Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
The Vanderbilt offense that befuddled Alabama and did enough to win at Kentucky and Auburn found answers early.
—Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 1 Dec. 2024
But even though crises and conflicts have reordered the United States’ immediate regional priorities, Washington should not forget that major internal problems continue to befuddle Egypt.
—Michael Wahid Hanna, Foreign Affairs, 26 Nov. 2024
On the other end, the Vikings befuddled maligned Titans quarterback Will Levis with exotic looks before the snap that appeared to break his brain for prolonged stretches.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 17 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for befuddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddle
Verb
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Internet users were obsessed yet bewildered with the unique positioning.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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But Judge was the only one who wasn’t bewildered by the move.—
Chris Kirschner,
The Athletic,
14 Aug. 2024
Verb
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Sociologists have been perplexed at the scale and stubbornness of the decline in fertility, which does not appear to be materially impacted by various governments' attempts to intervene with supposedly birth-inducing policies like tax credits.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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For years, astronomers have been perplexed by this particular supermassive black hole, a behemoth as large as a million suns in a distant galaxy.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This should not be confused as some kind of part-time mentoring role, like someone coming in to give a speech once in a while and then clearing off.—
Simon Johnson,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
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Don't let the term air fryer confuse you: These things are pretty much just small convection ovens that use fans to circulate hot air around your food in order to cook it evenly and efficiently.—
Emily Farris,
Bon Appétit,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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However, she was baffled by the woman's insistence and entitlement.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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The surprising source of the repeating burst has baffled astronomers, who haven't considered that regions in which no stars are forming could produce such a radio flare.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But less than a decade later, Sante Kimes captured national attention with a pair of brutal and puzzling crimes that spanned thousands of miles.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC News,
1 Feb. 2025
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Why this occurred at the unfinished hangar in Boise puzzles him.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near befuddle
Cite this Entry
“Befuddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddle. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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