BEWILDER Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'bewilder' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bewilder are confound , distract , dumbfound , nonplus , perplex , and puzzle . While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking. // a bewildering number of possibilities

Q: Where would 'confound' be a reasonable alternative to 'bewilder'?

The meanings of confound and bewilder largely overlap; however, confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement. // the tragic news confounded us all

Q: When would 'distract' be a good substitute for 'bewilder'?

In some situations, the words distract and bewilder are roughly equivalent. However, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests. // distracted by personal problems

Q: When might 'dumbfound' be a better fit than 'bewilder'?

While the synonyms dumbfound and bewilder are close in meaning, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound . // was at first too dumbfounded to reply

Q: When is it sensible to use 'nonplus' instead of 'bewilder'?

Although the words nonplus and bewilder have much in common, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible. // the remark left us utterly nonplussed

Q: When can 'perplex' be used instead of 'bewilder'?

The synonyms perplex and bewilder are sometimes interchangeable, but perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision. // a behavior that perplexed her friends

Q: In what contexts can 'puzzle' take the place of 'bewilder'?

The words puzzle and bewilder can be used in similar contexts, but puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve. // the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

bewilder

verb

bi-ˈwil-dər

Definition of bewilder next

as in to perplex

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty the change in policy seems to have bewildered many of our customers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bewilder differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bewilder are confound, distract, dumbfound, nonplus, perplex, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

Where would confound be a reasonable alternative to bewilder?

The meanings of confound and bewilder largely overlap; however, confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When would distract be a good substitute for bewilder?

In some situations, the words distract and bewilder are roughly equivalent. However, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When might dumbfound be a better fit than bewilder?

While the synonyms dumbfound and bewilder are close in meaning, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

When is it sensible to use nonplus instead of bewilder?

Although the words nonplus and bewilder have much in common, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

When can perplex be used instead of bewilder?

The synonyms perplex and bewilder are sometimes interchangeable, but perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

In what contexts can puzzle take the place of bewilder?

The words puzzle and bewilder can be used in similar contexts, but puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

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 bewilder At the Super Bowl, Bieber was seen dancing atop a VIP suite sofa shirtless and barefoot, bewildering nearby spectators. —

Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025 These reactions are just the tip of the iceberg, as the football world continues to be bewildered at Sanders being available heading into the fourth round on Saturday. —

Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025 Across the street, her husband Steve, who nursed Molly through her first fight with breast cancer a few years earlier, sits bewildered in the office of their couples therapist. —

Judy Berman, Time, 27 Mar. 2025 Carlie thinks the whole thing is hilarious, and Chelsea remains bewildered by any King Cake Baby obsession. —

Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bewilder

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bewilder

Verb

There was one final thing that left St John perplexed.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025
The results achieved statistical significance in one part of the analysis but not in others, perplexing outside experts.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025

Definition of perplex

Browse Nearby Words

bewhiskered

bewilder

bewildered

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bewilder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bewilder. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 10 Jun 2025 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of bewilder

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on bewilder

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

minutia

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Popular in Wordplay

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of bewilder

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on bewilder

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

minutia

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Popular in Wordplay

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Games & Quizzes