flummox

[ fluhm-uhks ]

verb (used with object)

, Informal.

1. to bewilder; confound; confuse.

flummox

/ ˈflʌməks /

verb

1. tr to perplex or bewilder

Word History and Origins

Origin of flummox¹

First recorded in 1830–40; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of flummox¹

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Again and again in his career—when Tesla nearly went bankrupt after the financial crisis, when it was mired in “production hell” after scaling up production in the late 2010s, and when SpaceX nearly went bankrupt—Musk has managed to pull a rabbit out of his hat and thoroughly flummox his detractors.

From Slate

The provision is remarkably straightforward—a far cry from the ambiguous, sloppy, or muddled laws that typically flummox the judiciary.

From Slate

It was another that because they didn’t have time to set their defense — usually a matchup zone they’ve used to flummox opponents — they had to play a little more man defense than usual, which the Sun Devils beat with pick-and-rolls and one-on-one scoring, using their quickness to beat the Cougs off the dribble.

From Seattle Times

It might help a few diligent users but would flummox others and probably be mostly ignored.

From Seattle Times

Keeping characters’ appearances consistent between shots is tough, they said; eyeballs continue to flummox the software.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• baffle
• bewilder
• confound
• discombobulate
• mystify
• nonplus
• perplex