Synonyms

flummoxed

American

[fluhm-uhkst] / ˈflʌm əkst /

adjective

Informal. utterly bewildered, confused, or puzzled.

When I walk into a store to buy video equipment and see the multitude of options, I’m befuddled and flummoxed.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of flummox.

Etymology

Origin of flummoxed

First recorded in 1835–40; flummox ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) flummoxed for def. 1, and flummox ( def. ) + -ed ¹ flummoxed for def. 2

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.

Flummoxed about the fill valve in the tank of your toilet?

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2021

Flummoxed health officials working to contain the outbreak had hypothesized that they were up against a new coronavirus strain with enhanced transmission capabilities.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2021

Flummoxed, Dr. Brunvand could not find anything on brain or blood scans, ultimately deciding it was encephalopathy, meaning his brain had temporarily shut down to flush out toxins.

From New York Times • Jul. 31, 2016

Flummoxed, he asked a more-experienced sergeant for advice.

From Washington Post • Apr. 21, 2016

Flummoxed, she dropped the letter into her lap.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

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