What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bewildering
Example
The instructions for assembling the furniture were bewildering. [bewildering: adjective]
Example
She found the math problem to be bewildering and couldn't figure out the solution. [bewildering: gerund or present participle]
confusing
Example
The directions to the party venue were confusing, and we got lost. [confusing: adjective]
Example
The teacher's explanation was confusing, and the students didn't understand the concept. [confusing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Confusing is more commonly used than bewildering in everyday language. Confusing is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while bewildering is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between bewildering and confusing?
Both bewildering and confusing can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, bewildering may sound slightly more formal due to its less frequent usage.