bewildering 1 of 2

Definition of bewilderingnext

bewildering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bewilder

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bewildering
Adjective
The bewildering and unexplained switch over Halligan began when the Bar replied to a complaint against her filed by the nonprofit organization Campaign for Accountability. Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026 The bewildering and unexplained switch over Halligan began when the Bar replied to a complaint against her filed by the nonprofit organization Campaign for Accountability. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
McNutt housed some 700 kids — about one-third of the population of French Lick — and Bird found the campus outside the dormitory walls bewildering. Keith O'Brien, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2026 Even a principled, well-meaning actor like Claude could face bewildering ethical conflicts. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bewildering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bewildering
Adjective
  • And, equally perplexing, why was the moon in America?
    Kathryn Hughes, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The judging is vexing and perplexing.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This inversion explains a host of baffling political and cultural phenomena of late.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The steel pipe's unexpected growth spurt was reported to police early Wednesday by a pedestrian who saw broken pieces of asphalt falling from the cylinder, baffling people passing by and causing traffic congestion.
    CBS News, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Until now, essentially all his comments about the four-week-old war have been contradictory, confusing, or just outright false.
    Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
  • However, following the path of Artemis II may be confusing as the astronauts, mission control and others use confusing jargon and phrases.
    ByMary Kekatos, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Colorado’s puzzling 8-6 loss to woebegone Vancouver this past Wednesday was the Avs’ sixth game dressed as the Quebec Nordiques, and they’re now dropped three straight games while going retro — including two straight in regulation.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Given its history, Larkin might seem a puzzling choice to partner with a state agency charged with protecting elders who cannot care for themselves.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In 2021, one year into D’Amaro’s tenure and following COVID shutdowns, Disney did away with FastPass and introduced a confounding and very costly series of pay-to-skip passes, which require timing advanced booking of limited slots in these formerly free-to-enter shorter lines.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The Eagles were a confounding defending champion throughout the regular season.
    Jeff Howe, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • With too much going on, its presentation can become muddled, and there’s a chance different sections of the track won’t come through clearly.
    Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The 1988 original was a critical punching bag for its muddled storytelling, despite the pedigree of its songwriters.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The delay has been frustrating, given that a large office-retail building in the complex is ready to open, but the facility can’t receive a certificate of occupancy from the city of Lee’s Summit until the intersection work is finished, Brown said.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Now, as a 30-something man who long since had the creativity sapped out of him by life, this was mildly frustrating at first.
    Ian Stokes, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • After Musk’s departure, Amodei and other researchers chafed against the leadership of Brockman, whom some considered an abrasive operator, and of Sutskever, who was generally viewed as principled but disorganized.
    Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Republicans and Democrats criticized the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein release, saying the rollout was disorganized with few effective systems in place to ensure that appropriate redactions were made.
    Perry Stein The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bewildering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bewildering. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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