By Iswat Ishola, Francis Ikuerowo, Chiamaka Egwuchukwu, and Saminu Yusuf Bena
Befuddled
(/bɪˈfʌd.əld/)
Befuddled is an adjective meaning extremely confused, puzzled, or unable to think clearly. It describes a state where someone’s mind feels muddled, often because of too much information, stress, fatigue, or an unexpected situation.It is often used when talking about confusion, misunderstanding, mental overload, or situations that leave someone unsure of what to do or think.
Example:
After listening to the complicated instructions, she looked completely befuddled and asked for them to be repeated.
Origin:
From the Middle English word befudlen, meaning “to confuse” or “to stupefy,” which is related to the idea of making someone’s mind foggy or unclear.
Formed from:
• be- = to make or cause
• fuddle = to confuse or intoxicate
Synonyms of befuddled:
confused, puzzled, bewildered, perplexed, dazed
Antonyms of befuddled:
clear-headed, certain, focused, composed, confident
In Yorùbá, Befuddled is translated as “Ìpòrúùru”
Examples
1. Ìpòrúùru ọkàn bá Adéọlá nígbà tí ó gbọ́ nípa ìfarapa ọkọ̀ ìyá rẹ̀(Adéọlá was befuddled to hear about her mother’s car accident)
2. Mo wà ní ìpòrúùru ọkàn lásìkò ìbímọ ọmọ mi(I was in a state of confusion during my daughter’s labour.)
In Igbo, Befuddled is translated as “mgbagwoju anya”
Examples
- Nwoke agadi nke gbagwojuru anya na-ejeghari ejeghari n’okporo uzo (The befuddled old man is wandering the streets)
- Ntuziaka dị mgbagwoju anya juru Amanda anya nke ukwuu (Amanda was completely befuddled by the complex instructions)
In Hausa, Befuddled is translated as “cikin ruɗani”, “rikicewa.”
Examples
1. Ya tsaya cikin ruɗani bayan jin tambayar da bai zata ba (He looked completely befuddled after hearing the unexpected question.)
2. Umarnin da suka rikitar sun bar ɗalibai cikin ruɗewa (The complex instructions left the students befuddled.)
In French, Befuddled is translated as “désorienté”, “déconcerté”, “embrouillé”
Examples
1. Il est désorienté par la situation. (He is bewildered by the situation.)
2. Je me sens embrouillé. (I feel mentally confused.)
In Spanish Befuddled is translated as “desconcertado”, “desorientado”, “aturdido”
Examples
1. Está desconcertado por la noticia. (He is bewildered by the news.)
2. Me siento aturdido. (I feel mentally muddled.)
In German, Befuddled is translated as “verwirrt”, “verblüfft”, “ratlos”
Examples
1. Er ist verwirrt von der Situation. (He is confused by the situation.)
2. Sie wirkte ratlos. (She appeared bewildered.)
Iswat Ishola is the lead contributor to this column, with additional language contributions from Francis Ikuerowo (French, German, and Spanish), Chiamaka Egwuchukwu (Igbo), and Saminu Yusuf Bena (Hausa).
