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.

They are the current T20 World Cup holders but were flummoxed by England's spinners and doubtless their opponents at the tournament will have taken note.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

For most of the night, their lineup was completely flummoxed by Venezuelan pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez, who posted a 5.02 ERA for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

It is unclear what role, if any, the people may have played in Guthrie’s disappearance, which has flummoxed investigators for almost two weeks.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

It’s a question that completely flummoxed Michael Glasheen, the FBI’s branch and operations director, last week when he was testifying before the House Committee on Homeland Security.

From Salon • Dec. 21, 2025

I am flummoxed by Valerian’s being here, in my room.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

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