Vocabulary Spotlight
Bewilder
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To cause someone to be perplexed or confused.
“The complex instructions served to bewilder the new employees.”
Pronunciation
[bih-wil-der]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Perplex
Baffle
Puzzle
Astonish
Antonyms
Explain
Simplify
Understand
Comprehend
Related Words
Stupefy
Dumbfound
Word Origin
“Bewilder” comes from the prefix “be-” meaning “thoroughly” and “wilder,” which is related to “wild” and denotes being led astray or into confusion. The term dates back to the late 17th century.
Word Family
Adjective: Bewildered – Perplexed or confused.
Noun: Bewilderment – A state of confusion or perplexity.
Mnemonics
Think of “bewilder” as “be + wilder,” meaning “to make wildly confused” — like being lost in the wilderness of confusion.
Industry-specific Usage
Education
Students may feel bewildered by complex lessons or poorly explained concepts.
Technology
Users can be bewildered by confusing software interfaces or complex technologies.
Psychology
Bewilderment can be a symptom of being overwhelmed, often studied in stress or anxiety contexts.
In Context
To bewilder someone is to leave them unsure or confused. This can happen in many situations, from encountering unexpected challenges at work to facing complex problems in daily life. Understanding this emotion can be key to overcoming confusion.