befuddled

[bih-fuhd-ld]

adjective

1. confused or muddled.

   They claim this is the prevailing economic theory, taught in the best schools, and that I am a hopelessly befuddled fool for questioning it.

2. puzzled or perplexed.

   People often ask us—usually with a befuddled look on their face—"Why on earth are you doing this?"

3. stupidly drunk.

   I don't think he's sobered up at all—in fact, he looks almost frighteningly befuddled and out of it.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of befuddle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of befuddled¹

First recorded in 1830–40; befuddle + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; befuddle + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

Not so much for the team he repeatedly befuddled.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

How, Tinubu quizzed his befuddled aides, had this idea reached the U.S. president?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Cook was left befuddled, defeated - both feet pointing down the pitch.

Read more on BBC

A double-digit combination set the social media sphere ablaze among teens in 2025, leaving parents and teachers befuddled -- and now it has officially been crowned Dictionary.com's "Word of the Year": 67.

Read more on Barron's

I’m only slightly befuddled by your decision to collect Social Security at 69½ instead of waiting until you’re 70 for that extra six months to maximise your benefits.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• baffled 
• bewildered