bewilder

[bih-wil-der]

verb (used with object)

1. to confuse or puzzle completely; perplex.

   These shifting attitudes bewilder me.

   Synonyms: muddle, stagger, confound, daze, confuse, nonplus, mystify

bewilder

/ bɪˈwɪldə /

verb

1. to confuse utterly; puzzle

2. archaic,  to cause to become lost

Other Word Forms

• bewilderment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bewilder¹

First recorded in 1675–85; be- + wilder ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of bewilder¹

C17: see _be- , _wilder

Example Sentences

"We couldn't process it at the time. We walked out of there bewildered."

From BBC

They are "four very different artists offering an intriguing snapshot of contemporary art", the Times' art critic Nancy Durrant wrote, while the Telegraph's Alastair Sooke said they show "a bewildering medley of materials and approaches".

From BBC

He said: "It's bewildering that maps have been drawn up in secret for their communities with almost no discussion with them or with us."

From BBC

He called the situation "bewildering", adding that it is a common practice for Korean companies to send workers to help set up overseas factories.

From BBC

Thomson seems fairly relaxed about it but others in the industry I've spoken to say that, given the long delivery times for such equipment, it's bewildering.

From BBC

Related Words

• baffle 
• befuddle 
• bemuse 
• confound 
• daze 
• disconcert 
• distract 
• fluster 
• mystify 
• perplex 
• puzzle 
• rattle 
• stump 
• stupefy 
• upset