BEFUDDLED Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

befuddled 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈfə-dᵊld

Definition of befuddled

as in bewildered

suffering from mental confusion the perennially befuddled professor was always forgetting where she'd left her glasses

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

befuddled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of befuddle

as in baffled

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

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 befuddled

Adjective

The befuddled host is left to shake his head as the trio wander off. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026 The Tea Party sprang out of the grass roots and roared at befuddled Congressional representatives in town halls across the country. — Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026

Verb

And, of course, onstage in his act, in which the 47-year-old comedian from Old Hickory, Tennessee, adopts the persona of a middle-aged everyschlub befuddled by modern life and expectations of basic competence. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026 Expecting to catch their limit this week, the Dodgers were instead befuddled by the Miami Marlins, who had most of the answers from the mound and just enough from the plate. — Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for befuddled

Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddled

Adjective

That bewildered shake of the head after Meyer's pitch in that video is not a rare occurrence for Raleigh this year.

— Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
On Douban, a popular Chinese movie-review platform, viewers piled on with mocking and bewildered comments.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of bewildered

Verb

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
Al Roker was baffled to come face to face with his doppelgänger on the Today show plaza.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of baffled

Verb

Just ask Australian break dancer Rachael Gunn, whose performance at the 2024 Olympics puzzled viewers the world over.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
Three bears were taken, and, in keeping with the southern tradition of bear hunting, Roosevelt’s hosts were a bit puzzled by the president’s disappointment.

— Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of puzzled

Adjective

Also, if the switch from side by side to one-front/one-back happened instantaneously, your brain would get confused about how to interpret the images delivered from each eye, since the setup would be quite different from what you were used to.

— Abigail Witmer, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Critics of the move have been vocal, and many residents were left confused.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of confused

Adjective

Passengers can also help prevent distracted driving by speaking up if a driver loses focus and assisting with navigation or other tasks to minimize distractions.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Common behaviors that can establish negligence include speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, running a red light, or making an unsafe lane change.

— Matthew Kayser, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of distracted

Browse Nearby Words

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befuddled

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“Befuddled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddled. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of befuddled

adjective

verb

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