bewilder
UK /bɪˈwɪldə(ɹ)/ · US /bɪˈwɪldɚ/ verb
Forms bewilders bewildering bewildered
- verb (transitive) To confuse, disorientate, or puzzle someone, especially with many different choices. “All the different possible options may bewilder us.”
Synonyms
befuddle addle baffle vex lose embroil stick stump baffound bamboozle bedevil throw bemud bemuse bumfuzzle complicate confound confuddle confuse confuzzle perplex get puzzle mystify beat pose flummox stupefy nonplus gravel
Etymology
From be- (prefix used as an intensifier) + wilder (“to lead astray; to go astray, wander”).
Webster’s 1913
- verb To lead into perplexity or confusion, as for want of a plain path; to perplex with mazes; or in general, to perplex or confuse greatly.
Etymology [Pref. be- + wilder.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “bewilder”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details