FUDDLE Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

fuddle

verb

ˈfə-dᵊl

Definition of fuddle

as in to confuse

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty the hotel staff is completely fuddled by the guest's bizarre requests

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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 fuddle In colliding with a new type of animal, a chemical that might once have served to fuddle the wits of pests has been transformed into a glittering lure. — Gareth Cook, Scientific American, 24 June 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fuddle

Verb

Bill Belichick has made a Hall of Fame career on confusing young quarterbacks.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Splitter praises his movement on and off the ball, which seems to visibly confuse opposing defenses.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of confuse

Verb

But Danny Niemela, a contractor at ArDan Construction, says that the process baffles him.

— Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Oct. 2026
Beyond being frustrated with the secrecy, locals said they were baffled by the lack of specifics and clarity the stakeholders had about the project, per the records.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of baffle

Verb

Latif is conflicted by his double life, bewildered by his doubling of parental responsibilities, constantly trying to think two moves ahead yet always ending up three steps behind.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Dan emerges as Primetime’s unlikely heart, bewildered by the dark world he’s wandered into and left to negotiate his ambitions with the high stakes of the job.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of bewilder

Verb

At Telluride, Fielder, who had initially planned to stay behind the scenes, admitted he was still perplexed by the couple’s openness.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
They were perplexed at first, flummoxed, but pleasant, and unfortunately for them, already long gone from the airport.

— Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of perplex

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
That the Houthis are able to score hits from 500 miles away, despite the Saudi military spending tens of billions of dollars on multi-layered air defense systems, has puzzled experts.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of puzzle

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fuddle

fuddled

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“Fuddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fuddle. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fuddle

verb

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