WordValebewildered
completely confused
In more detail
confused and unable to understand something or know what to do
Examples
- She looked bewildered when he suddenly started speaking in French.
How to use bewildered
Bewildered suggests confusion that is both mental and emotional, often accompanied by a feeling of being overwhelmed or disoriented. It is more dramatic and expressive than simple confusion, typically describing a state where someone is momentarily lost or surprised. It carries a more literary or emphatic tone than colloquial alternatives.
Common phrases
- bewildered expression
- look bewildered
- leave someone bewildered
- bewildered by
- bewildered silence
Synonyms
confused · perplexed · baffled · disoriented · at a loss
Opposites
understanding · clear-headed · oriented
Word family
bewilder (verb) · bewilderment (noun) · bewilderingly (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use bewildered for abstract confusion without the emotional element of disorientation; bewildered works best when describing a person's state rather than a concept or problem alone.
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