as in bewildered
suffering from mental confusion
the perennially befuddled professor was always forgetting where she'd left her glasses
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in puzzled
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of befuddled
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Despite constantly seeing that defense this season, Shanahan looked downright befuddled against it.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
The animals are found in unnatural positions and drained entirely of blood by befuddled ranchers in Minnesota, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Oregon and elsewhere.
Sgt.
—Christina Coulter, Fox News, 28 Nov. 2024
My friends were confused by my abrupt stop and the frightened and befuddled look on my face — except for one, whose eyes were also bulging wide.
—Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for befuddled
Adjective
At the same time, Schumer supporting the stopgap bill will only increase turmoil within the Democrat party, and make its members look more befuddled about how to deal with the Trump White House.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Despite constantly seeing that defense this season, Shanahan looked downright befuddled against it.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
The animals are found in unnatural positions and drained entirely of blood by befuddled ranchers in Minnesota, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Oregon and elsewhere.
Sgt.
—Christina Coulter, Fox News, 28 Nov. 2024
My friends were confused by my abrupt stop and the frightened and befuddled look on my face — except for one, whose eyes were also bulging wide.
—Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for befuddled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddled
Adjective
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Because, as the bewildered Jackson says in response, Who hates guitars?—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
21 May 2025
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Also speaking to camera, the various members of the Girard family waver between resentment and bewildered confusion.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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The band played everything a little slower, and the songs drifted through the theatre with a dazed elegance.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
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The museum show did happen — though some of what’s in it is fabricated, including a few fake ads for Apple and Absolut Vodka that the band very much did not shoot — but everyone in attendance seems a little dazed and confused about it, including the band.—
Alissa Wilkinson,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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The audio proves otherwise as the recordings show Biden was confused, rambling, and couldn’t even remember when his son Beau died.—
Doug Friednash,
Denver Post,
21 May 2025
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Photos showed the group seemingly confused about what was happening during the moment.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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While Walker is so distracted, a high-speed chase involving the other four cops in on his dirty-money scheme is unfolding across town.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2025
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Eventually, doctors crafted a diagnosis that could explain distracted and excitable personalities, and a consensus formed about how to treat them.—
Adam B. Kushner,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Signs of dehydration, including: dry mouth and throat, infrequent peeing and feeling dizzy when standing up.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Spinning is what dizzy people do, and Lopez is not that.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Befuddled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddled. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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