as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
the library patron was in obvious befuddlement over where to find the appropriate references
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Recent Examples of befuddlement
Bohumila shrugged with a look of befuddlement.
—
Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Tunnel fits have become so valuable that the teams themselves post them on official social media channels, to the delight (and sometimes befuddlement) of fans.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Tunnel fits have become so valuable that the teams themselves post them on official social media channels, to the delight (and sometimes befuddlement) of fans.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befuddlement
Noun
-
The crossing was closed Friday and Saturday because of confusion around operations.—
SAMY MAGDY,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Former Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt felt that there would be confusion over the fact that the Super Bowl itself took place the year after the NFL’s regular-season games.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some locally dense fog remains possible Tuesday as dew point temperatures and air temperatures reach the low 60s.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Patchy dense fog will be possible for the inland areas.—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Leon was visibly wary of the government’s arguments, at times tipping into what appeared to be barely contained bewilderment.—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In Caracas, moods fluctuate between skepticism, optimism and bewilderment.—
CNN 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befuddlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befuddlement. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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