as in perplexing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in baffling
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddling
Adjective
-
With new mysteries such as dark matter, dark energy, the search for a quantum theory of gravity, the Hubble tension and the cause of the Big Bang all perplexing physicists, now would be a great time for another transformation in science akin to that of a century ago.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
17 Jan. 2025 -
The pavilion’s perplexing parent company, yeswetrust, seemed to offer everything from crypto to Thai real estate to daily incentives to meditate, drink water, and breathe.—
Caitlín Doherty,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Researchers are particularly focused on unraveling the puzzling interplay between gas content, magma pressure and lava flow dynamics.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Almost two years into his ordeal, Gould learned of an initiative at the National Institutes of Health that focuses on solving the country’s most puzzling medical cases.—
Jason Liebowitz,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Americans, and a dismaying number of politicians, keep crying for a crackdown on crimes that aren’t happening.—
F.K. Plous,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The late President’s priorities were remarkably prescient, and his personal qualities offered a dismaying contrast to so much of the present state of American politics.—
Erin Neil,
The New Yorker,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But beyond those bewildering effects, Lynch was onto something.—
Billy J. Stratton,
The Conversation,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Her bewildering response may put an end to her political career, as withering criticisms continue.—
The Editorial Board,
Orange County Register,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The Lions resume their quest for the franchise’s first Super Bowl trip following last week’s bye, and the Commanders try to keep the magic flowing a week after upsetting Tampa Bay 23-20 in a thrilling wild-card victory.—
Mike Jones,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
-
There is also the risk of upsetting Trump, and the president's whims are something tech companies have so far showed a willingness to bend to.—
Maria Curi,
Axios,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Because Lynch’s whole deal was about engagement — connection through friction, comprehension through acknowledging the incomprehensible world all around us, empathy by way of bridging the gap between disparate concepts.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
16 Jan. 2025
-
The people who tend Altadena’s venerable deodar cedars have suffered incomprehensible community losses this week, but Santa Rosa Avenue, a.k.a.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Jan. 2025
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.
Thesaurus Entries Near befuddling
Cite this Entry
“Befuddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddling. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share