What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
confuse
Example
The instructions were so complicated that they confused me. [confused: verb]
Example
I'm confused about what you're trying to say. [confused: adjective]
bewilder
Example
The sudden turn of events bewildered everyone. [bewildered: verb]
Example
I was completely bewildered by the strange customs of the new culture. [bewildered: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Confuse is more commonly used than bewilder in everyday language. Confuse is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while bewilder is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between confuse and bewilder?
Bewilder is more formal than confuse. It is often used in academic or literary contexts to describe a state of confusion or disorientation caused by something unexpected or surprising.
