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

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

"To open the box to find a pair of flipping trainers was just bewildering to me."

From BBC

"The situation is extremely bewildering," Lee added, while noting it is common practice for Korean firms to send workers to help set up overseas factories.

From BBC

"The situation is extremely bewildering," said Lee, noting it is common practice for Korean firms to send workers to help set up overseas factories.

From BBC

A bewildered Peaches counters that they’re not jumping into freezing water.

From Salon

Related Words

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