BEWILDER Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'bewilder' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bewilder are confound , distract , dumbfound , nonplus , perplex , and puzzle . While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking. // a bewildering number of possibilities

Q: Where would 'confound' be a reasonable alternative to 'bewilder'?

The meanings of confound and bewilder largely overlap; however, confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement. // the tragic news confounded us all

Q: When would 'distract' be a good substitute for 'bewilder'?

In some situations, the words distract and bewilder are roughly equivalent. However, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests. // distracted by personal problems

Q: When might 'dumbfound' be a better fit than 'bewilder'?

While the synonyms dumbfound and bewilder are close in meaning, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound . // was at first too dumbfounded to reply

Q: When is it sensible to use 'nonplus' instead of 'bewilder'?

Although the words nonplus and bewilder have much in common, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible. // the remark left us utterly nonplussed

Q: When can 'perplex' be used instead of 'bewilder'?

The synonyms perplex and bewilder are sometimes interchangeable, but perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision. // a behavior that perplexed her friends

Q: In what contexts can 'puzzle' take the place of 'bewilder'?

The words puzzle and bewilder can be used in similar contexts, but puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve. // the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

bewilder

verb

bi-ˈwil-dər

Definition of bewilder

as in to perplex

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty the change in policy seems to have bewildered many of our customers

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How does the verb bewilder differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bewilder are confound, distract, dumbfound, nonplus, perplex, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

Where would confound be a reasonable alternative to bewilder?

The meanings of confound and bewilder largely overlap; however, confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When would distract be a good substitute for bewilder?

In some situations, the words distract and bewilder are roughly equivalent. However, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When might dumbfound be a better fit than bewilder?

While the synonyms dumbfound and bewilder are close in meaning, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

When is it sensible to use nonplus instead of bewilder?

Although the words nonplus and bewilder have much in common, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

When can perplex be used instead of bewilder?

The synonyms perplex and bewilder are sometimes interchangeable, but perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

In what contexts can puzzle take the place of bewilder?

The words puzzle and bewilder can be used in similar contexts, but puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of bewilder Traveling even to a different Strip hotel could be bewildering, so tourists worn out by a day of wandering, people-watching and drinking didn’t seem to mind mediocre restaurants, content to stumble off to bed after a few turns at the tables. — Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 Similarly, the defensively bewildering 9-6 loss the Wild suffered to start Round 2 in Colorado set the tone for five games that would ultimately be their undoing. — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 3 June 2026 In the same way that kids wonder how their video game works, fans were often bewildered when a starting five of LeBron, Jordan, Kobe, Bird and Moses Malone didn't net them an 82-0 record. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2026 Former Republican state senator Jeff Brandes, who now leads the Florida Policy Project, said he was bewildered by the governor's proposal. — Jim Defede, CBS News, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bewilder

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bewilder

Verb

And Wednesday’s doubleheader — thanks to a Monday rainout that perplexed Counsell — certainly didn’t help the pitching staff.

— Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Sometimes those editing swings make sense, like incorporating more social-media posts and group chats, but other times the stylistic choices simply perplex.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 25 June 2026

Definition of perplex

Verb

His focus on the voting bill, instead of signing one that tackles a top issue for voters, has left some GOP strategists baffled.

— David Hickey, NBC news, 2 July 2026
Keith played conservative social climber Margo Leadbetter, who is baffled by her neighbor Tom's sustainability-centric lifestyle with wife Barbara Good (Felicity Kendal).

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Definition of baffle

Verb

Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Gold not glittering As for gold, while the yellow metal has traditionally been sought out by kings and paupers throughout history alike, the anaemic gold price has puzzled experts.

— Lim Hui Jie,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 July 2026
When Hilary Streever relayed the agents' message to David, he was puzzled.

— Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 1 July 2026

Definition of puzzle

Browse Nearby Words

bewhiskered

bewilder

bewildered

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“Bewilder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bewilder. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of bewilder

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