as in to perplex
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
an actor who's easily flummoxed by any changes in the script
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Recent Examples of flummox
The event precipitated a massive response that plunged the region into chaos and left world leaders flummoxed by its ricochet.
—
Philip Elliott, TIME, 15 Jan. 2025
The former appears somewhat flummoxed by his material, guessing as to what kind of comic energy or tone would work.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Rutherford makes Agathe appear at once hypervigilant and flummoxed, and perhaps this is the truest Austen touch in the movie.
—Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
The narrative of the elder statesman finding something deep within to try and flummox the young buck is gripping.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flummox
Philip Elliott, TIME, 15 Jan. 2025
The former appears somewhat flummoxed by his material, guessing as to what kind of comic energy or tone would work.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Rutherford makes Agathe appear at once hypervigilant and flummoxed, and perhaps this is the truest Austen touch in the movie.
—Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
The narrative of the elder statesman finding something deep within to try and flummox the young buck is gripping.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flummox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flummox
Verb
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At the time, I was perplexed and questioned if this was necessary.—
Susan Horava,
Health,
24 June 2025
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Ultimately, the remaining Islanders dumped Jeremiah and Hannah, a controversial move that left viewers at home perplexed as to why this decision was made.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
23 June 2025
Verb
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As Epstein continues to dog his presidency, Trump says he’s bewildered by the attention.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
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Her camera is so incisive, always peeling back the veneers of polite conversation to reveal the messy, often contradictory emotions that drive us, that bewilder us.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Money terms and concepts continue to baffle people, many of whom are seeking answers through online searches.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Baun’s ability to play on the line of scrimmage allowed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to shift the front with Baun moving from off-ball to edge or vice versa right before the snap, confusing the blocking assignments for the offense.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
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The snake is also easily confused with the Brahminy blind snake, also known as the flowerpot snake, an invasive species in Barbados, according to Re:wild.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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One especially puzzling discovery is shown in a narrow closet.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
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Another puzzling question was what to do with the long, narrow goat stable.—
Aileen Weintraub,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 July 2025
Verb
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The sudden shake-up of GMA hosts has befuddled fans.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
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The stock comeback of the last two months has perplexed many investors, who remain befuddled by the market's insistence to look past conflict, tariffs and major challenges to the economic outlook, to make short work of recovering losses from their April lows.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flummox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flummox. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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