bewilder — to confuse someone completely; to cause someone to become perplexed and confused
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to confuse someone completely; to cause someone to become perplexed and confused
Pronunciation (IPA): /bɪˈwɪldər/
Example Sentences
- The magic trick bewildered the children, who couldn't figure out how the rabbit disappeared.
- My grandmother was bewildered by the smartphone - she kept trying to hang up by slamming it down.
- The complex instructions bewildered even the experienced engineers.
bewilder
VERB[/bɪˈwɪldər/]
to confuse someone completely; to cause someone to become perplexed and confused

The strange map completely bewilders the lost hikers in the foggy forest.

Be wilder than wild - totally bewildered and confused!

The bewildered builder watches his design grow wilder!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From the prefix 'be-' (meaning to make or cause to be) combined with 'wilder,' which comes from Middle English and likely derives from Old English 'wilde' meaning wild or uncontrolled. The word emerged in the 16th century to describe the state of being lost or confused.
Breakdown
be- (to make or cause) + wilder (to lead astray, lose one's way) = bewilder (to confuse or perplex completely)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The magic trick bewildered the children, who couldn't figure out how the rabbit disappeared.”
“My grandmother was bewildered by the smartphone - she kept trying to hang up by slamming it down.”
“The complex instructions bewildered even the experienced engineers.”
“The cat was bewildered when it saw its reflection in the mirror and started fighting with itself.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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