befuddle

verb

be·​fud·​dle bi-ˈfə-dᵊl How to pronounce befuddle (audio)
bē-
befuddled; befuddling; befuddles

transitive verb

1
: to muddle or stupefy with or as if with drink
befuddled with drink all the time.Ellen Glasgow
2
: confuse, perplex
a problem that still befuddles the experts
befuddlement noun

Examples of befuddle in a Sentence

most of the applicants were befuddled by the wording of one of the questions on the driving test
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The decision to reconsider law firms appeared to befuddle a few board members in public meetings leading up to the decision. Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2025 Wall Street analysts have been befuddled by Trump’s vision of bringing manufacturing operations back to the US, something that would be extremely costly and take years if not decades to accomplish. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025 Raynaud was whistled for his third foul 2:22 into the second half, a call that angered the Frenchman and appeared to befuddle his coach. Mike Barber, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025 The sketch comes as the sitting president continues to befuddle many Americans with his focus on tariffs and his platforming of Musk’s push to cut federal workers while stock prices continue to plunge. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for befuddle

Word History

Etymology

be- + fuddle

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of befuddle was in 1801

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Befuddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/befuddle. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

befuddle

verb
be·​fud·​dle bi-ˈfəd-ᵊl How to pronounce befuddle (audio)
befuddled; befuddling
-ˈfəd-liŋ,
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to dull the senses of with or as if with too much drink : stupefy
2
befuddlement noun

More from Merriam-Webster on befuddle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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