bewilder

verb

bi-ˈwil-dər How to pronounce bewilder (audio)
Definition of bewildernext
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

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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 Ten years ago, the Kardashians’ floods of content bewildered us. —M. J. Corey, New Yorker, 24 May 2025 Lee’s downfall initially bewildered those who knew and cared about him. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025 Jeffrey Dean Morgan tells TVLine that co-star Lauren Cohan has been bewildered, too — frequently. —Charlie Mason, TVLine, 10 May 2025 Babb acknowledged that the team was bewildered at the stunning turn of events. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bewilder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bewilder
  1. perplex
  2. confuse
  3. baffle
  4. puzzle
Verb
  • At the time, I was perplexed and questioned if this was necessary.
    — Susan Horava, Health, 24 June 2025
  • Ultimately, the remaining Islanders dumped Jeremiah and Hannah, a controversial move that left viewers at home perplexed as to why this decision was made.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 23 June 2025
Definition of perplex
Verb
  • Baun’s ability to play on the line of scrimmage allowed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to shift the front with Baun moving from off-ball to edge or vice versa right before the snap, confusing the blocking assignments for the offense.
    — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 23 July 2025
  • The snake is also easily confused with the Brahminy blind snake, also known as the flowerpot snake, an invasive species in Barbados, according to Re:wild.
    — Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • Money terms and concepts continue to baffle people, many of whom are seeking answers through online searches.
    — Russ Wiles, USA Today, 12 July 2025
  • Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.
    — Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
Definition of baffle
Verb
  • Another puzzling question was what to do with the long, narrow goat stable.
    — Aileen Weintraub, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2025
  • One especially puzzling discovery is shown in a narrow closet.
    — Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Definition of puzzle

Browse Nearby Words

bewhiskered
bewilder
bewildered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bewilder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bewilder. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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