bewildered by

USAGE SUMMARY

"bewildered by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone who is confused, puzzled, or perplexed by something. For example, "The student was bewildered by the professor's in-depth lecture on quantum physics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Bewildered by blagging?

The Guardian - Opinion

Bewildered by rival gadgets?

The Guardian - Tech

But I was also bewildered by it.

The New York Times

I was bewildered by what had happened".

The New York Times - Health

The Annapolis graduates were bewildered by us.

The New Yorker

Prosecutors were bewildered by Enron's convoluted structure.

The New Yorker

Mike looks bewildered by the prospect.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Ugh!    * * * I'm quite bewildered by it.

The Guardian - Books

He looks genuinely bewildered by the suggestion.

The Guardian - Music

"We are bewildered by the military.

The New York Times

I was very bewildered by things.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bewildered by", ensure that the object causing the bewilderment is clearly identified. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "bewildered by" when a milder term like "confused by" or "puzzled by" is more appropriate. "Bewildered" suggests a strong sense of disorientation, so reserve it for situations where the confusion is significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bewildered by" functions primarily as a verbal phrase acting as an adjective describing a state of confusion or disorientation. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase commonly follows a subject and a form of the verb "to be", indicating a state of being.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bewildered by" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a state of confusion or perplexity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from authoritative sources, predominantly in news and media contexts. While "bewildered by" can be used in various registers, it's essential to consider the intensity of the confusion being described and use it appropriately. Related phrases such as "confused by" or "puzzled by" may be more suitable for milder forms of confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baffled by

Expresses a state of confusion or being puzzled, similar to bewildered, but often implies a more intellectual challenge.

confused by

A more general term for lacking clarity or understanding, closely related to bewildered.

perplexed by

Implies a deep sense of bewilderment, often suggesting a complex or intricate problem.

puzzled by

Suggests a state of mild confusion or being intrigued by something difficult to understand.

mystified by

Implies a sense of mystery or being unable to explain something, similar to bewildered but with a stronger emphasis on the unknown.

stumped by

Suggests being unable to find a solution or answer to something, leading to confusion.

at a loss because of

Expresses a state of not knowing what to do or think due to something, conveying a similar sense of disorientation.

taken aback by

Suggests surprise and confusion, often due to something unexpected or shocking.

disoriented by

Implies a loss of direction or understanding, either literally or figuratively.

flustered by

Suggests a state of agitation and confusion, often due to being overwhelmed or put on the spot.

FAQs

How can I use "bewildered by" in a sentence?

You can use "bewildered by" to describe someone's confusion about something. For example, "The tourists were "bewildered by" the complex subway system".

What are some alternatives to "bewildered by"?

Alternatives include "confused by", "perplexed by", or "puzzled by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "bewildered by" or "confused by"?

"Bewildered by" suggests a stronger sense of confusion and disorientation than "confused by". Choose the term that best reflects the intensity of the confusion you're describing.

What does "bewildered" exactly mean?

"Bewildered" means to be perplexed and confused, often to the point of feeling disoriented. It's a stronger term than simply "confused" or "puzzled".