befuddle

[ bih-fuhd-l ]

verb (used with object)

, be·fud·dled, be·fud·dling.

1. to confuse, as with glib statements or arguments:

   politicians befuddling the public with campaign promises.

   Synonyms: muddle, daze, baffle, bewilder, perplex

2. to make stupidly drunk.

befuddle

/ bɪˈfʌdəl /

verb

1. to confuse, muddle, or perplex
2. to make stupid with drink

Derived Forms

• beˈfuddlement, noun

Other Words From

• be·fud·dler noun
• be·fud·dle·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of befuddle¹

First recorded in 1885–90; be- + fuddle

Example Sentences

Unlike other opposing pitchers that befuddle Seattle’s swing-happy hitters with breaking balls, Woods Richardson challenged them with fastballs — and beat them.

From Seattle Times

Lawyers for the oligarch, Dmitry Rybolovlev, have argued in federal court in Manhattan that a Sotheby’s executive, Sam Valette, worked with the dealer Yves Bouvier to help Bouvier sell works of art at wildly inflated prices, using the auction house’s reputation and expertise to befuddle and trick the Russian into paying higher values and then help conceal his fraud.

From New York Times

Even in the sunlight, the shadows and glare can befuddle landing cameras and sensors.

From National Geographic

It initially seemed to befuddle Villanova before Brendan Hauser rose for a three-pointer over Jan Vide with the shot clock about to expire.

From Los Angeles Times

From there, Ahmed ripped the ball both ways to befuddle the Irish.

From BBC

Related Words

• baffle
• bewilder
• daze
• disorient
• distract
• dumbfound
• fluster
• intoxicate
• muddle
• puzzle
• stupefy