bewilder
/bɪˈwɪl.də/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To confuse someone so they do not know what is happening, what to do, or what to think. It can also mean to make someone feel lost or puzzled.
- The sudden question bewildered me.
- Her explanation bewildered the class.
- The traffic signs bewildered the visitors.
Adinary Nuance
Bewilder is stronger than confuse and more emotional than puzzle. Use confuse for general lack of clarity, and bewilder when someone feels fully lost or mentally thrown off. It often suggests surprise as well as confusion.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bối rối
- Spanish
- desconcertar
- Chinese
- 使困惑
- Japanese
- 当惑させる
- Korean
- 당황하게 하다
Etymology
Bewilder came into English in the 17th century. It is formed from be- plus wilder, an older word related to being lost in the wild.
Common phrases
bewildered lookbewildered byleave someone bewilderedfeel bewildered
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is bewilder formal or informal?
- It is neutral and common in writing. It sounds a little more literary than confuse.
- What is the difference between bewilder and confuse?
- Confuse means to make something unclear. Bewilder suggests stronger confusion and a lost feeling.
- Can I say 'I am bewildered' in conversation?
- Yes. It sounds natural, but it is less common than 'I am confused.'
- What preposition goes with bewilder?
- You often say bewildered by something, or bewilder someone with something.