bamboozled

American

[bam-boo-zuhld] / bæmˈbu zəld /

adjective

deceived through trickery, flattery, or the like; hoodwinked.

He feels there’s been a cover-up by the manufacturer and it’s his duty to bring it to the attention of a bamboozled public.
perplexed, mystified, or confused.

I must have had a very bamboozled look on my face, because she gave me an impatient "What’s your problem, lady?"

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of bamboozle.

Etymology

Origin of bamboozled

bamboozle ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He infuriated observers by constantly changing systems and selections, leaving players bamboozled.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Young adults aren’t confused or bamboozled by the risks they’re taking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

He has a well-earned reputation among journalists as a perpetual skeptic, someone who refuses to be bamboozled by hype, cope, spin, and anything in between.

From Slate • Nov. 5, 2025

It has since become clear that Kennedy thoroughly bamboozled Cassidy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2025

I had him so bamboozled he didn’t know which way was up.

From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023