flummoxed

[ fluhm-uhkst ]

adjective

1. Informal. utterly bewildered, confused, or puzzled:

   When I walk into a store to buy video equipment and see the multitude of options, I’m befuddled and flummoxed.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of flummox.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flummoxed¹

First recorded in 1835–40; flummox ( def ) + -ed ²( def ) flummoxed fordef 1, and flummox ( def ) + -ed ¹ flummoxed fordef 2

Example Sentences

The Republican still appeared flummoxed on Sept. 10, when he faced Harris in their lone debate.

From Los Angeles Times

"Teen soap?" the father figure to a generation of "The O.C." fans says, still a little flummoxed at the idea.

From Salon

Ever since Kamala Harris became his opponent, an obviously flummoxed Trump has grappled with how to run against a Democrat who doesn’t share his gender, flesh tone or senior status.

From Los Angeles Times

The desire to win has helped the party conceal ideological differences that have consumed prior conventions and flummoxed Harris when she ran for president four years ago.

From Los Angeles Times

Later, while attending Yale Law School, Vance sought his future wife’s counsel when he was flummoxed by the array of silverware flanking his plate at a fancy dinner hosted by a law firm.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• baffled
• befuddled
• bewildered
• dazed
• disorganized
• distracted
• muddled
• perplexed
• perturbed
• puzzled