BEWILDER Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

bewilder

verb

bi-ˈwil-dər

Definition of bewilder next

as in to perplex

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bewilder differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bewilder are confound, distract, dumbfound, nonplus, perplex, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

Where would confound be a reasonable alternative to bewilder?

The meanings of confound and bewilder largely overlap; however, confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When would distract be a good substitute for bewilder?

In some situations, the words distract and bewilder are roughly equivalent. However, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When might dumbfound be a better fit than bewilder?

While the synonyms dumbfound and bewilder are close in meaning, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

When is it sensible to use nonplus instead of bewilder?

Although the words nonplus and bewilder have much in common, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

When can perplex be used instead of bewilder?

The synonyms perplex and bewilder are sometimes interchangeable, but perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

In what contexts can puzzle take the place of bewilder?

The words puzzle and bewilder can be used in similar contexts, but puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

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 bewilder Nandi is experiencing severe insomnia, tremors and psychosis, and her quickly deteriorating condition bewilders the emergency room staff. —

Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025 Gelles avoids lionizing Patagonia’s leader, describing Chouinard’s mercurial leadership style that often bewildered his staff at Patagonia. —

Maya Silver, Outside, 20 Oct. 2025 The sense of arbitrariness that had previously bewildered and frustrated me was drowned out by excitement and sheer aesthetic pleasure. —

Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025 And aren’t our real-life romantic complications bewildering enough? —

Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bewilder

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bewilder

Verb

Gargantuan boulders, twisted spiky trees, and vibrant sunset colors form an arid landscape that has perplexed and inspired creative titans like Jim Morrison and Gram Parsons for years.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2026
The disjunction between the abstract composition and the notion of self-portraiture appeared perplexing in its own right; its inoperability only exacerbated the viewer’s frustration and redoubled the artist’s impish provocation.

— Ara H. Merjian, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026