bamboozle

[ bam-boo-zuhl ]

verb (used with object)

, bam·boo·zled, bam·boo·zling.

1. to deceive or get the better of (someone) by trickery, flattery, or the like; humbug; hoodwink (often followed by into ):

   They bamboozled us into joining the club.

   Synonyms: fool, mislead, delude, rook, gull, hoax, flimflam, defraud, swindle, cheat, trick, dupe, gyp

2. to perplex; mystify; confound.

   Synonyms: dumbfound, baffle, puzzle, bewilder, befog

verb (used without object)

, bam·boo·zled, bam·boo·zling.

1. to practice trickery, deception, cozenage, or the like:

   He has been known to bamboozle, so I don't trust him.

bamboozle

/ bæmˈbuːzəl /

verb

1. to cheat; mislead
2. to confuse

Derived Forms

• bamˈboozler, noun
• bamˈboozlement, noun

Other Words From

• bam·boo·zle·ment noun
• bam·boo·zler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bamboozle¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of bamboozle¹

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

You may eventually see that you’ve been bamboozled, or you may continue to descend into the mass psychosis gripping the American mind.

From Salon

"Parents are overwhelmed and bamboozled by the many benefit systems, resulting in some not claiming what they are entitled to."

From BBC

Sarah Ferguson pulled a pint in the Rovers Return Inn and said she would have to "bamboozle" producers to get a part.

From BBC

Hitler ran a regime that engaged in elaborate charades to bamboozle sympathetic and influential foreigners about the nature of the Nazi state.

From Salon

Trump is no anomaly in this history, but the natural result of decades of snake oil salesmen bamboozling the Republican base for political gain and profit.

From Salon

Related Words

• befuddle
• deceive
• delude
• dupe
• hoodwink
• mystify
• perplex