BEWILDERING Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

bewildering 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of bewildering

as in perplexing

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Dissimilar Words

bewildering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bewilder

as in baffling

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bewildering

Adjective

For a working adult, deciding to go back to school can be a lonely and bewildering experience. — Brian Hartnack, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026 Makhachev’s only loss in 30 career bouts came against Adriano Martins in October 2015, a result that has gone down as one of the most bewildering in UFC history with each passing Makhachev win. — Mark Puleo, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Verb

There aren’t many ways to earn a club’s first win better than bewildering the league’s defending champions at their place. — Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026 McNutt housed some 700 kids — about one-third of the population of French Lick — and Bird found the campus outside the dormitory walls bewildering. — Keith O'Brien, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bewildering

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bewildering

Adjective

More perplexing is the industry’s retreat despite evidence that diversity is in its economic interest.

— Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Not Kendall, nor Candle, but a third, even more perplexing name for a dog.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of perplexing

Verb

Their admirable determination makes Diamantis’ flight from the United States baffling for us and humiliating for them.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
The sequel, on the other hand, is shaped by baffling decisions from director Susanne Bier and cinematographer Simon Duggan that render the film antiseptic.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of baffling

Adjective

Colette, our winsome young narrator played by Sophia Anne Caruso, will soon go on to provide a bit of explanation that only makes things more confusing.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Here are the top 6 confusing things about El Niño, as relayed to CNN via meteorologists and climate scientists.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of confusing

Verb

To read her book is to be reminded that childhood can be a puzzling passage for anyone, even in an ostensibly simpler time and place.

— Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2026
This sort of puzzling connection between text and image is repeated throughout the exhibition.

— Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of puzzling

Adjective

Meanwhile, her position on taxation seems fairly muddled and not yet fully formed.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026
Garfield, sensitive and earthy, is our bellwether as the events descend into bloody carnage dictated by muddled agendas.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of muddled

Adjective

Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel didn’t shy away from discussing his job security Thursday amid a frustrating 0-5 start to the season.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Wednesday's rain made for a frustrating day for hundreds of travelers at Denver International Airport, including some football fans arriving for Thursday night's Broncos game.

— Tori Mason, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustrating

Adjective

The findings paint a picture of a response marred by poor preparation, communication issues and disorganized leadership that struggled to coordinate between jurisdictions.

— Evan Bush, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
Chaos ruled the Eaton fire’s incident command Even if on-the-ground reports of a burning west Altadena had reached the Rose Bowl base, the incident command located there was disorganized and chaotic, the report found.

— Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of disorganized

Browse Nearby Words

bewilderedness

bewildering

bewilderment

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Style

“Bewildering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bewildering. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bewildering

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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