Befuddlement
to confuse, as with glib statements or arguments:
politicians befuddling the public with campaign promises.
to make stupidly drunk.
Contemporary Examples
One former Media Research Center employee reacted to the news with a deep sense of befuddlement, “I thought everyone knew it.”
Ex-Employees of Conservative Figure L. Brent Bozell Say He Didn’t Write His Books or Columns Ben Jacobs February 12, 2014
This state of affairs is a source of befuddlement to Walmart executives.
Sad Face at Walmart Daniel Gross May 15, 2013
Still, I have heard more than a few people, of all races, shrug in some kind of befuddlement about what they are expected to feel.
South Africa Kicks Off Week Of Mourning Mandela Mark Gevisser December 8, 2013
Historical Examples
She had only added to his befuddlement and he bent forward, soliciting some more lucid statement of her position.
A Hoosier Chronicle Meredith Nicholson
But their befuddlement was only a tithe of that which struck Cleigh an hour later.
The Pagan Madonna Harold MacGrath
The befuddlement of Antoine and the waiter who assisted him added to the general joy.
Lady Larkspur Meredith Nicholson
verb (transitive)
to confuse, muddle, or perplex
to make stupid with drink
v.
“confuse,” 1873, from be- + fuddle; originally “to confuse with strong drink or opium” (by 1832). An earlier word in the same sense was begunk (1725). Related: Befuddled; befuddling.
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- Befuddled
to confuse, as with glib statements or arguments: politicians befuddling the public with campaign promises. to make stupidly drunk. Contemporary Examples Confusion over the catcher’s eye black is just the tip of the iceberg for this befuddled limey. Viral Video of the Day: Bad British MLB Commentary Alex Chancey, Ben Teitelbaum May 6, 2014 The […]
- Beg
to ask for as a gift, as charity, or as a favor: to beg alms; to beg forgiveness. to ask (someone) to give or do something; implore: He begged me for mercy. Sit down, I beg you. to take for granted without basis or justification: a statement that begs the very point we’re disputing. to […]
- Befuddling
to confuse, as with glib statements or arguments: politicians befuddling the public with campaign promises. to make stupidly drunk. Contemporary Examples And opinions grew more virulent and befuddling on both sides. Why We’re Not Ranking Rabbis Gary Ginsberg, Michael Lynton, Abigail Pogrebin February 25, 2014 Historical Examples Have we no “mud-heads” befuddling life at every […]
- Beghard
a member of a former lay brotherhood, founded in Flanders in the 13th century, living after the manner of the Beguines. Historical Examples A leading feature of the Beghard propaganda was the circulation among the laity of written tracts and devotional works. A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume II Henry Charles […]
- Beg off
to ask for as a gift, as charity, or as a favor: to beg alms; to beg forgiveness. to ask (someone) to give or do something; implore: He begged me for mercy. Sit down, I beg you. to take for granted without basis or justification: a statement that begs the very point we’re disputing. to […]