befuddle

be- +‎ fuddle

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /bɪˈfʌdl/

• Audio (US)

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  Rhymes: -ʌdl

befuddle (third-person singular simple present befuddles, present participle befuddling, simple past and past participle befuddled)

1. (transitive) To perplex, confuse (someone).

   The explanation left him completely befuddled.

2. (transitive) To stupefy (someone), especially with alcohol.
   • 1983, Basile Kerblay, Modern Soviet Society, page 290:

     ... to the American and French alcoholics, who drink in order to get drunk and befuddle the brain

• See also Thesaurus:confuse