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bewilder

C1 noun #6,500 가장 일반적인 8분 분량

bewilder

상위 6,500

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 bewilder 30초 만에

설명 bewilder in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'bewilder' is very difficult. It is much better to use the word 'confuse.' If you feel like you don't understand something at all, you can say 'I don't understand' or 'I am very confused.' 'Bewilder' is a big word for a small feeling at this level. Imagine you are in a new school and you don't know where your classroom is. You feel a little lost. This is like 'bewilder,' but 'bewilder' is much stronger. It is like being in a huge city with no map and no phone. Most people at A1 do not need to use this word, but you might see it in stories. If you see it, just remember it means 'to make someone very, very confused.' It comes from the word 'wild,' like a forest. So, it means feeling like you are lost in a wild forest of information. Don't worry about using it in your own speaking yet. Focus on words like 'confused,' 'lost,' or 'not sure.' These are easier and people will understand you better. If you want to try, you can say 'The map is very hard, it makes me confused.' Later, you can change 'makes me confused' to 'bewilders me.'

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

For A2 learners, 'bewilder' is a 'challenge word.' You are starting to learn more adjectives and verbs to describe feelings. 'Bewilder' is a verb that means to make someone feel very mixed up. It is stronger than 'confuse.' Think about a time when you saw a magic trick. You didn't know how the magician did it. You were surprised and your brain couldn't find the answer. That feeling is 'bewilderment.' In a sentence, you can say 'The difficult homework bewildered the student.' This means the homework was so hard the student didn't even know where to start. You should use this word when you want to show that something is not just a little hard, but very complicated. It is often used in the past tense with 'ed,' like 'I was bewildered by the movie.' This means the movie had a very strange story that you didn't understand. Try to use it once or twice in your writing to show you know more advanced words, but remember that 'confuse' is still the most common word for most situations.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the B1 level, you should begin to recognize 'bewilder' in books, news articles, and movies. It is a useful word for describing complex situations. While 'confuse' is a general word, 'bewilder' suggests a higher level of complexity. For example, if two people give you different directions to the same place, you might be 'confused.' But if you are looking at a highly technical manual for a machine you've never seen, you might be 'bewildered.' The word implies that there are too many details to process at once. You will often see it used as 'bewildering,' which is an adjective. A 'bewildering array of choices' means there are so many options that it is hard to pick one. As a B1 student, you can start using this word to add variety to your vocabulary. Instead of always saying 'It was very confusing,' try saying 'The instructions were quite bewildering.' This makes your English sound more natural and sophisticated. Remember that it is a transitive verb, so something must bewilder someone. You can also use the noun 'bewilderment' to describe the state of mind, such as 'He looked at the broken computer in bewilderment.'

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

B2 learners should be comfortable using 'bewilder' in both formal and informal contexts. At this level, you understand that 'bewilder' carries a nuance of being 'lost in the wild.' It is particularly effective in descriptive writing and when discussing abstract concepts. You should be able to distinguish it from similar words like 'perplex' or 'puzzle.' 'Perplex' often suggests a problem that needs a logical solution, while 'bewilder' is more about the feeling of being overwhelmed. For instance, 'The scientist was perplexed by the results' (he is thinking about them), versus 'The witness was bewildered by the lawyer's rapid questions' (he is overwhelmed and can't think clearly). You should also notice the common collocations, such as 'utterly bewildered' or 'completely bewildered.' In your writing, use 'bewilder' to describe emotional or mental states that are more intense than simple confusion. It is also common in the passive voice: 'The public was bewildered by the government's sudden reversal on the policy.' This implies a collective state of confusion and lack of direction. Practicing the use of 'bewilder' will help you move toward the C1 level, where precision in describing mental states is essential.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the C1 level, 'bewilder' is a standard part of your vocabulary. You should use it to convey a sense of profound, often overwhelming confusion caused by complexity or a lack of clear patterns. At this stage, you are expected to understand the etymological connection to 'wilderness' and how that informs the word's meaning—the sense of being intellectually 'lost.' You should use 'bewilder' to describe situations where the sheer volume of information or the irrationality of a situation paralyzes the observer's ability to reason. It is an excellent word for academic critiques, literary analysis, and high-level professional communication. For example, 'The author uses a non-linear narrative to intentionally bewilder the reader, mirroring the protagonist's own descent into madness.' You should also be adept at using the various forms of the word—'bewilder' (verb), 'bewildered' (adjective), 'bewildering' (adjective), and 'bewilderment' (noun)—with perfect grammatical accuracy. Furthermore, you should be able to use it in more idiomatic or metaphorical ways, such as 'the bewildering pace of technological change.' This level of mastery involves knowing exactly when 'bewilder' is the most precise choice compared to 'flummox,' 'nonplus,' or 'confound,' and using it to create a specific atmospheric effect in your writing and speech.

For C2 proficiency, 'bewilder' is used with total precision and an appreciation for its stylistic impact. You understand that 'bewilder' is not just about confusion, but about a specific kind of cognitive disorientation that often borders on the sublime or the absurd. You might use it to discuss philosophical concepts, such as the 'bewildering nature of existence,' where the word takes on a more existential weight. At this level, you can manipulate the word's intensity through sophisticated adverbial modification and use it to create complex rhetorical effects. You are aware of its historical usage in literature and can use it to evoke a certain 'classical' or 'literary' feel in your prose. For example, 'The sheer opacity of the bureaucratic machinery served not just to delay the process, but to fundamentally bewilder the supplicant, stripping them of their agency.' You also recognize the word in various registers, from the highly formal to the ironically informal. You can use it to describe a state that is so total that it becomes a defining characteristic of an experience. Mastery at C2 involves using 'bewilder' not just to describe a state of mind, but to comment on the nature of the thing that causes the bewilderment, suggesting an inherent and perhaps insurmountable complexity in the subject itself.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

bewilder 30초 만에

Bewilder is a high-level verb meaning to cause deep confusion or mental disorientation, often due to excessive complexity or unexpectedness in a situation.
It is stronger than 'confuse' and carries a nuance of being 'lost in a wilderness,' where the mind cannot find a clear path forward.
The word is commonly used in literature, formal writing, and professional contexts to describe a profound lack of understanding or clarity.
Common forms include the adjective 'bewildering' (describing the cause) and the noun 'bewilderment' (describing the state of being confused).

To bewilder is to cast someone into a state of profound confusion where the path forward is no longer visible. It is not merely being 'puzzled' by a small math problem; it is the sensation of being lost in a dense, fog-filled forest of information where every direction looks the same. When you are bewildered, your cognitive faculties are temporarily paralyzed by the complexity or the unexpected nature of a situation. This word often carries a connotation of being overwhelmed by a 'maze' of details, hence the 'wilder' root which relates to the wilderness. In modern usage, we see this word frequently in psychological contexts, literary descriptions of shock, and academic critiques of overly complex systems. It describes a specific type of mental exhaustion that occurs when the brain's pattern-recognition software fails to find a logical sequence in the external world. People use this word when they want to emphasize that the level of confusion is deep, unsettling, and often involuntary.

The Essence of Complexity: Bewilderment suggests a loss of intellectual orientation. It is the feeling of a tourist in a city where all the signs are in a language they don't speak and the streets follow no grid.
Emotional Resonance: While 'confuse' is neutral, 'bewilder' often implies a sense of wonder or even fear. It is a more visceral reaction to the unknown.
Contextual Utility: It is perfectly suited for describing reactions to avant-garde art, complex legal documents, or the irrational behavior of a loved one that leaves you searching for answers.

The sudden change in the company's policy served only to bewilder the employees who had worked there for decades.

Scientists were bewildered by the unexpected data coming from the deep-space probe.

His silence in the face of such direct accusations began to bewilder even his closest supporters.

The sheer scale of the architectural ruins was enough to bewilder any modern visitor.

To bewilder an opponent is often a successful strategy in high-stakes chess matches.

Using bewilder correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature; it is an action performed by a subject upon an object. You do not 'bewilder' by yourself; something or someone bewilders you. In its passive form, 'to be bewildered,' it describes the state of the person experiencing the confusion. When constructing sentences, it is effective to pair the verb with adverbs that emphasize the depth of the state, such as 'utterly,' 'completely,' or 'thoroughly.' This enhances the C1-level sophistication of your speech. For example, instead of saying 'the map was confusing,' you might say 'the intricate network of alleyways served to bewilder even the most experienced navigators.' This shifts the focus from the object's quality to the impact it has on the human mind. Furthermore, 'bewilder' is often followed by 'by' when used in the passive voice: 'I was bewildered by his sudden departure.' In academic writing, the word can be used to describe phenomena that defy current theoretical frameworks, suggesting that the data is not just difficult to understand, but fundamentally challenging to the observer's logic. It is also important to distinguish between the verb and the noun form 'bewilderment.' While the verb describes the process of causing confusion, the noun describes the state itself. Use the verb when you want to focus on the cause or the dynamic interaction between the source of confusion and the victim. In narrative writing, 'bewilder' is a powerful tool for building tension, as it signals that a character has lost their grip on the situation, making them vulnerable to further plot developments.

Active Voice Usage: Subject (Cause) + Bewilder + Object (Person). Example: 'The complex legal jargon bewilder the average citizen.'
Passive Voice Usage: Subject (Person) + Be Bewildered + By + Cause. Example: 'The jury was bewildered by the conflicting testimonies.'
Adverbial Pairing: Use adverbs like 'totally' or 'completely' to intensify the effect. Example: 'The magician's final act completely bewildered the audience.'

You will encounter bewilder in a variety of high-level contexts, ranging from classic literature to modern scientific discourse. In literature, authors like Charles Dickens or Virginia Woolf use it to describe the internal states of characters facing social upheaval or existential crises. It is a favorite in psychological thrillers where the plot is designed to bewilder the reader alongside the protagonist. In the realm of journalism, particularly in long-form investigative pieces, you might read about how a 'bewildering array of tax loopholes' allowed a corporation to avoid payments. Here, it signifies that the complexity is intentional and overwhelming. In daily conversation, it is less common than 'confuse' but is frequently used by educated speakers to express a higher degree of frustration or amazement. For instance, a parent might say they are 'bewildered by the slang terms used by teenagers today,' implying that the language is not just new, but fundamentally incomprehensible to them. In the workplace, a manager might express concern that a new software rollout will bewilder the staff if proper training isn't provided. This usage highlights the word's connection to productivity and mental clarity. Scientific journals also use the term when a discovery contradicts established laws of physics or biology, marking the moment where human understanding reaches its limit. Finally, in political commentary, 'bewilder' is often used to describe the public's reaction to contradictory statements from leaders, suggesting a breakdown in the social contract of clear communication.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is using bewilder as a noun, perhaps because it sounds like it could be one. However, bewilder is strictly a verb. If you need a noun, you must use bewilderment. For example, saying 'He was in a state of bewilder' is incorrect; it should be 'He was in a state of bewilderment.' Another common error is confusing it with 'confuse.' While they are synonyms, 'confuse' is much broader. You can be confused about which key opens a door, but you are bewildered by a quantum physics lecture. Using 'bewilder' for trivial matters can make your speech sound overly dramatic or unnatural. Additionally, learners often forget that 'bewilder' is transitive. You cannot say 'I bewilder'; you must say 'I am bewildered' or 'The situation bewilders me.' There is also a tendency to misspell the word by adding an extra 'e' after the 'l' or forgetting the 'w.' Finally, some speakers use 'bewilder' to mean 'scare' or 'frighten.' While being bewildered can be scary, the word itself refers to the mental state of confusion, not the emotion of fear. Ensure that the context focuses on the lack of understanding rather than just the presence of fear. Understanding these nuances helps in achieving the precision required for C1 and C2 levels of English proficiency.

Incorrect Noun Usage: Avoid: 'The bewilder of the crowd.' Use: 'The bewilderment of the crowd.'
Over-dramatization: Avoid using 'bewilder' for simple choices like what to eat for lunch.

While bewilder is a powerful word, there are several alternatives that can offer more specific shades of meaning depending on the context. Baffle is very close but often implies that a problem is completely unsolvable or that someone's behavior is totally inexplicable. Perplex is slightly more academic and focuses on the 'troubling' nature of the confusion; if you are perplexed, you are actively trying to solve a puzzle but failing. Mystify suggests that the cause of the confusion is mysterious or even magical, often used in the context of magic tricks or unexplained natural phenomena. Confound is a stronger, more formal term that often implies that the confusion has led to the failure of a plan or expectation. For more informal or colorful language, you might use flummox or nonplus. 'Nonplus' is particularly interesting as it describes a state of being so bewildered that you are unsure how to react or what to say next. In contrast, 'disorient' focuses on the physical or spatial aspect of being lost, though it is often used metaphorically. When choosing between these, consider the 'flavor' of the confusion: is it a puzzle (perplex), a mystery (mystify), a failure (confound), or a total cognitive breakdown (bewilder)?

Bewilder vs. Baffle: Bewilder emphasizes the 'lost in a maze' feeling, while baffle emphasizes the 'dead end' of a problem.
Bewilder vs. Perplex: Perplex is more about the intellectual challenge; bewilder is more about the overwhelming nature of the situation.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The root word 'wilder' literally means to wander in the wild. So, when you are bewildered, you are metaphorically 'lost in the woods' of your own mind.

발음 가이드

UK /bɪˈwɪl.dər/

US /bɪˈwɪl.dɚ/

The primary stress is on the second syllable: be-WIL-der.

라임이 맞는 단어

builder guilder wilder (as in the name, though the 'i' is different) bewilder (self-rhyme) tiller (near rhyme) filler (near rhyme) thriller (near rhyme) chiller (near rhyme)

자주 하는 실수

Stressing the first syllable (BE-wilder) is incorrect.
Adding an extra 'e' sound in the middle (be-wil-de-er).
Pronouncing the 'w' as a 'v' (common for some European speakers).
Making the 'i' sound too long like 'ee' (be-weel-der).
Dropping the final 'r' entirely in rhotic accents.

난이도

독해 4/5

Common in literature and quality journalism, but the meaning is usually clear from context.

쓰기 5/5

Requires careful use to ensure it doesn't sound too dramatic for simple situations.

말하기 5/5

Less common in casual speech; using it correctly shows a high level of English.

듣기 4/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to recognize once learned.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

confuse lost wild puzzle simple

다음에 배울 것

flummox nonplus obfuscate labyrinthine conundrum

고급

discombobulate perplex mystify confound baffle

알아야 할 문법

Transitive Verbs

The puzzle (subject) bewilders (verb) me (object).

Passive Voice with 'By'

I was bewildered by the strange noise.

Present Participle as Adjective

The instructions were bewildering.

Past Participle as Adjective

He had a bewildered look on his face.

Cleft Sentences for Emphasis

It was the sheer complexity that bewildered her.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

수준별 예문

The big map can bewilder a small child.

Le grand plan peut dérouter un petit enfant.

Simple subject + can + verb + object.

Do not let the many buttons bewilder you.

Ne laissez pas les nombreux boutons vous troubler.

Imperative negative form using 'do not'.

New games often bewilder me at first.

Les nouveaux jeux me déroutent souvent au début.

Present simple tense for a general habit.

The city streets bewilder the tourists.

Les rues de la ville déroutent les touristes.

Plural subject with a transitive verb.

The teacher's words bewilder the class.

Les paroles du professeur déroutent la classe.

Possessive 's' and a collective noun 'class'.

Will this long book bewilder you?

Ce long livre va-t-il vous dérouter ?

Future simple question form.

The loud noises bewilder the cat.

Les bruits forts déroutent le chat.

Third person plural verb form.

I do not want to bewilder my friend.

Je ne veux pas dérouter mon ami.

Infinitive form after 'want to'.

The complicated rules of the game bewilder new players.

Les règles compliquées du jeu déroutent les nouveaux joueurs.

Use of 'complicated' to modify the subject.

I was bewildered by the strange signs in the airport.

J'ai été dérouté par les panneaux étranges dans l'aéroport.

Passive voice: was + past participle + by.

Does the new computer system bewilder you?

Le nouveau système informatique vous déroute-t-il ?

Present simple question with 'does'.

The sudden rain bewildered the people at the picnic.

La pluie soudaine a dérouté les gens au pique-nique.

Past simple tense.

Her fast way of speaking can bewilder anyone.

Sa façon rapide de parler peut dérouter n'importe qui.

Modal verb 'can' followed by the base form.

The directions to the house bewildered us.

Les directions pour aller à la maison nous ont déroutés.

Past simple with a direct object pronoun 'us'.

They were bewildered when the bus didn't arrive.

Ils étaient déroutés quand le bus n'est pas arrivé.

Passive construction with a 'when' clause.

The many choices on the menu bewilder me.

Les nombreux choix sur le menu me déroutent.

Plural subject and singular object.

The intricate plot of the movie served to bewilder the audience.

L'intrigue complexe du film a servi à dérouter le public.

'Served to' followed by the infinitive.

He was utterly bewildered by the sudden change in plans.

Il était tout à fait dérouté par le changement soudain de plans.

Adverb 'utterly' intensifying the passive verb.

The scientific explanation was enough to bewilder even the experts.

L'explication scientifique suffisait à dérouter même les experts.

'Was enough to' expressing sufficiency.

Trying to assemble the furniture without instructions will bewilder you.

Essayer d'assembler les meubles sans instructions vous déroutera.

Gerund phrase as the subject.

The sheer number of stars in the sky can bewilder the mind.

Le nombre impressionnant d'étoiles dans le ciel peut dérouter l'esprit.

Use of 'sheer' to emphasize quantity.

She gave him a bewildered look when he started speaking French.

Elle lui a jeté un regard dérouté quand il a commencé à parler français.

Past participle 'bewildered' used as an adjective.

The tax forms are designed to bewilder the average person.

Les formulaires fiscaux sont conçus pour dérouter la personne moyenne.

Passive voice 'are designed to'.

It bewildered her that he could be so forgetful.

Cela la déroutait qu'il puisse être si distrait.

Dummy subject 'It' followed by the verb and a 'that' clause.

The rapid succession of events left the witnesses completely bewildered.

La succession rapide des événements a laissé les témoins complètement déroutés.

Verb 'left' + object + adjective phrase.

Modern art can often bewilder those who prefer traditional styles.

L'art moderne peut souvent dérouter ceux qui préfèrent les styles traditionnels.

Relative clause 'who prefer traditional styles'.

The complex legal jargon was intended to bewilder the opposing counsel.

Le jargon juridique complexe était destiné à dérouter l'avocat adverse.

Passive voice with 'was intended to'.

I find the technical specifications of this new engine quite bewildering.

Je trouve les spécifications techniques de ce nouveau moteur assez déroutantes.

Present participle 'bewildering' used as an adjective.

The explorer was bewildered by the strange customs of the remote tribe.

L'explorateur était dérouté par les coutumes étranges de la tribu isolée.

Passive voice with 'by'.

His contradictory statements only served to bewilder the jury further.

Ses déclarations contradictoires n'ont fait que dérouter davantage le jury.

Use of 'only served to' and 'further' for emphasis.

It is bewildering to think how much the world has changed in ten years.

Il est déroutant de penser à quel point le monde a changé en dix ans.

'It is' + adjective + infinitive phrase.

The sheer scale of the project would bewilder any manager.

L'ampleur même du projet dérouterait n'importe quel gestionnaire.

Conditional 'would' for a hypothetical situation.

The philosopher’s dense prose tended to bewilder even his most dedicated students.

La prose dense du philosophe avait tendance à dérouter même ses étudiants les plus dévoués.

'Tended to' expressing a recurring tendency.

The market’s volatility continues to bewilder seasoned financial analysts.

La volatilité du marché continue de dérouter les analystes financiers chevronnés.

Present simple expressing an ongoing state.

She stood in the middle of the crowded station, bewildered by the noise and motion.

Elle se tenait au milieu de la gare bondée, déroutée par le bruit et le mouvement.

Participle phrase 'bewildered by...' modifying the subject.

The government’s opaque decision-making process serves only to bewilder the public.

Le processus de décision opaque du gouvernement ne sert qu'à dérouter le public.

Use of 'opaque' and 'serves only to' for critical tone.

To bewilder an opponent is a classic tactic in psychological warfare.

Dérouter un adversaire est une tactique classique de la guerre psychologique.

Infinitive phrase as the subject.

The sheer complexity of the human brain continues to bewilder neuroscientists.

La complexité même du cerveau humain continue de dérouter les neuroscientifiques.

Subject-verb agreement with 'complexity'.

His sudden disappearance left the small community utterly bewildered.

Sa disparition soudaine a laissé la petite communauté tout à fait déroutée.

Adjective phrase following the object of 'left'.

It was a bewildering array of facts that seemed to have no logical connection.

C'était un ensemble déroutant de faits qui semblaient n'avoir aucun lien logique.

Adjective 'bewildering' modifying 'array'.

The avant-garde performance was calculated to bewilder and provoke the conservative audience.

La performance d'avant-garde était calculée pour dérouter et provoquer le public conservateur.

Passive voice 'was calculated to' implying intent.

The labyrinthine bureaucracy of the empire was designed to bewilder the common citizen.

La bureaucratie labyrinthique de l'empire était conçue pour dérouter le simple citoyen.

Use of the evocative adjective 'labyrinthine'.

There is a bewildering beauty in the chaotic patterns of a storm.

Il y a une beauté déroutante dans les motifs chaotiques d'une tempête.

Existential 'There is' with a complex noun phrase.

The quantum physicist admitted that the data continued to bewilder even his most brilliant colleagues.

Le physicien quantique a admis que les données continuaient de dérouter même ses plus brillants collègues.

Reported speech with a 'that' clause.

The sheer opacity of his motives served to bewilder those who sought to help him.

L'opacité même de ses motivations a servi à dérouter ceux qui cherchaient à l'aider.

Abstract nouns 'opacity' and 'motives'.

She navigate the bewildering landscape of modern politics with surprising grace.

Elle navigue dans le paysage déroutant de la politique moderne avec une grâce surprenante.

Metaphorical use of 'landscape' and 'navigate'.

The poem's shifting perspectives are intended to bewilder the reader's sense of time.

Les perspectives changeantes du poème sont destinées à dérouter le sens du temps du lecteur.

Possessive phrase 'reader's sense of time'.

It is the bewildering paradox of wealth that it often brings more anxiety than peace.

C'est le paradoxe déroutant de la richesse qu'elle apporte souvent plus d'anxiété que de paix.

Cleft sentence structure for emphasis.

동의어

perplex mystify baffle confound nonplus disorient

반의어

enlighten clarify explain

자주 쓰는 조합

utterly bewilder

completely bewilder

bewildering array

bewildering variety

bewildering complexity

stare in bewilderment

look bewildered

bewilder the mind

somewhat bewildered

totally bewilder

자주 쓰는 구문

a bewildering maze of

— Used to describe something that is extremely complicated and hard to navigate. It emphasizes the feeling of being trapped in complexity.

The new tax law is a bewildering maze of regulations and exceptions.

left bewildered

— Describes the state of a person after a confusing event has occurred. It focuses on the aftermath of the confusion.

The unexpected results left the researchers bewildered.

in a state of bewilderment

— A formal way to say that someone is currently very confused. It treats the confusion as a temporary condition.

After the accident, he was found wandering in a state of bewilderment.

to be bewildered by

— The most common way to express that something is causing you confusion. It is the standard passive construction.

I am often bewildered by the behavior of my cat.

a bewildering speed

— Used to describe something that is happening so fast that it is hard to keep track of or understand.

Technology is advancing at a bewildering speed.

bewildered expression

— Describes the look on someone's face when they are confused. It is a common descriptive phrase in literature.

She had a bewildered expression when she saw the surprise party.

quite bewildering

— A slightly understated way to say that something is very confusing. 'Quite' acts as an intensifier here.

The lack of communication from the office was quite bewildering.

to bewilder the senses

— Used when something is so overwhelming (like loud music or bright lights) that you cannot think or feel clearly.

The sights and smells of the busy market were enough to bewilder the senses.

beyond bewildering

— Used for emphasis to say that something is even more confusing than the word 'bewildering' can describe.

The logic behind his decision was beyond bewildering.

bewildering set of

— Used to describe a group of things (rules, options, facts) that are confusing when taken together.

The applicant faced a bewildering set of requirements for the visa.

자주 혼동되는 단어

bewilder vs confuse

Confuse is a general term. Bewilder is much stronger and implies being 'lost' due to complexity.

bewilder vs baffle

Baffle implies a problem that is impossible to solve. Bewilder focuses more on the mental state of the person.

bewilder vs perplex

Perplex is more intellectual and suggests a puzzle that needs thinking. Bewilder is more about being overwhelmed.

관용어 및 표현

"lost in the wild"

— While not a direct idiom using the word, it captures the root meaning of 'bewilder' (be-wilder). It means to be totally without direction.

Without his notes, the speaker was lost in the wild.

Metaphorical

"at a loss"

— To be so confused or surprised that you do not know what to do. Closely related to the state of being bewildered.

I am at a loss to explain why she left so suddenly.

Neutral

"all at sea"

— A British idiom meaning to be completely confused or unable to decide what to do. Similar to being bewildered.

I'm all at sea with these new computer programs.

Informal/British

"in a muddle"

— To be in a state of confusion or disorder. A milder version of bewilderment.

My thoughts are all in a muddle after that meeting.

Informal

"head is spinning"

— To feel overwhelmed by too much information or a shocking event. This is the physical sensation of being bewildered.

My head is spinning after trying to understand the contract.

Informal

"can't make head or tail of"

— To be unable to understand something at all. This is the result of being bewildered by something.

I can't make head or tail of these instructions.

Informal

"out of one's depth"

— To be in a situation that is too difficult or complex for one to handle. This often leads to bewilderment.

In the advanced physics class, I felt completely out of my depth.

Neutral

"thrown for a loop"

— To be completely surprised or confused by something unexpected. A common American idiom.

The news of the merger threw the employees for a loop.

Informal

"clouded judgment"

— When confusion or emotion prevents someone from thinking clearly. Bewilderment can cause this.

His bewilderment at the situation clouded his judgment.

Neutral

"mind-boggling"

— Extremely surprising and difficult to understand or imagine. Used as an adjective for something bewildering.

The amount of money they spent is mind-boggling.

Informal

혼동하기 쉬운

bewilder vs Baffle

Both mean to confuse someone deeply.

Baffle is often used for puzzles or logic problems that cannot be solved. Bewilder is used more for situations that are complex and overwhelming, like a busy city or a strange social situation.

The crossword puzzle baffled me, but the crowded airport bewildered me.

bewilder vs Perplex

Both describe a state of confusion.

Perplex is more formal and usually involves a specific question or mystery that needs an answer. Bewilder is more about a general feeling of being lost or mentally paralyzed.

I am perplexed by your question, but I am bewildered by your entire philosophy.

bewilder vs Confound

Both mean to cause confusion.

Confound often implies that someone's expectations or plans were proven wrong, causing them surprise and confusion. Bewilder focuses strictly on the state of being confused by complexity.

The team's success confounded the critics, but the new rules bewildered the players.

bewilder vs Mystify

Both involve not understanding something.

Mystify suggests that the thing causing the confusion is a mystery, like a magic trick or a secret. Bewilder is more about the 'too muchness' of information.

The magician's trick mystified the kids, but the long list of rules bewildered them.

bewilder vs Disorient

Both involve losing one's way.

Disorient usually has a physical or spatial meaning (not knowing where North is). Bewilder is almost always used for mental or intellectual confusion.

The spinning ride disoriented him, and the complex instructions bewildered him.

문장 패턴

The [noun] bewildered [person].

The game bewildered the children.

[Person] was bewildered by [noun].

She was bewildered by the strange map.

It is bewildering to [verb].

It is bewildering to see how much things cost now.

A bewildering array/variety of [noun].

There was a bewildering array of choices at the store.

[Noun] served only to bewilder [person].

The explanation served only to bewilder the jury further.

To bewilder [person] is to [verb].

To bewilder an opponent is to gain a psychological advantage.

The sheer [abstract noun] of [noun] bewildered [person].

The sheer opacity of the document bewildered the lawyers.

[Person] looked bewildered.

He looked bewildered after the crash.

어휘 가족

명사

bewilderment (the state of being bewildered)

동사

bewilder (to cause confusion)

형용사

bewildered (feeling confused)

bewildering (causing confusion)

사용법

frequency

Common in written English (literature, news), less common in everyday spoken English compared to 'confuse.'

자주 하는 실수

The bewilder of the city. → The bewilderment of the city.
'Bewilder' is a verb, not a noun. You must use the noun form 'bewilderment' to describe the state of confusion.
I am bewildering by the math. → I am bewildered by the math.
Use the -ed ending for the person feeling the emotion and the -ing ending for the thing causing it.
He bewilder me. → He bewilders me.
Don't forget the 's' for third-person singular in the present simple tense.
I was bewildered for the noise. → I was bewildered by the noise.
The standard preposition to use with 'bewildered' in the passive voice is 'by.'
It bewilders that he is late. → It bewilders me that he is late.
'Bewilder' is a transitive verb, meaning it needs an object (someone who is being bewildered).

팁

Verb vs. Adjective

Remember that 'bewilder' is the action, 'bewildering' is the thing that causes the feeling, and 'bewildered' is the person who feels it. For example: 'The map (bewildering) bewildered the man (bewildered).'

Don't Overuse It

Because 'bewilder' is a strong word, don't use it for small things. Use it when something is truly complex. Saying you are bewildered by a spoon is too much; saying you are bewildered by a 100-page contract is perfect.

Learn Collocations

Learning 'bewildering array' and 'utterly bewildered' will help you sound more like a native speaker. These pairs are very common in English.

The 'W' is Key

Many learners forget the 'w' or the 'i.' Think of the word 'WILD' inside 'be-WILD-er' to help you remember the spelling.

Create Atmosphere

In creative writing, use 'bewilder' to show a character's vulnerability. When a character is bewildered, they are no longer in control of their situation.

Polite Clarification

If you don't understand a complex point in a meeting, say 'I'm a little bewildered by that last point.' It sounds more professional than 'I don't get it.'

Context Clues

When you see 'bewilder' in a book, look for words like 'complex,' 'maze,' or 'strange' nearby. They will help confirm the meaning of the confusion.

Lost in the Woods

Always visualize a dark forest when you hear this word. You are in the 'wild' and you don't have a compass. That is bewilderment.

Formal Contexts

In essays, use 'bewildering' to describe the vastness of a topic. 'The bewildering amount of research on this subject makes it difficult to summarize.'

Soft 'Be'

The first syllable 'be' should be very quick. Don't say 'BEE-wilder.' It's more like 'bih-WIL-der.'

암기하기

기억법

Think of being 'BE-WILD-ER'. You are 'BE' (becoming) 'WILD' (lost in the wild) and 'ER' (more and more). It's the feeling of being in a wild forest without a map.

시각적 연상

Imagine a person standing in the middle of a giant hedge maze. The walls are tall, and every path looks the same. That person is experiencing 'bewilderment.'

Word Web

confuse wilderness maze puzzle overwhelm lost complex baffle

챌린지

Try to write a paragraph describing a busy city using the word 'bewilder' as a verb and 'bewildering' as an adjective. Then, explain to a friend why 'bewilder' is stronger than 'confuse.'

어원

The word 'bewilder' first appeared in English in the late 17th century. It is formed from the prefix 'be-' (meaning 'thoroughly' or 'to make') and the now-obsolete verb 'wilder' (meaning 'to lead astray' or 'to get lost').

원래 의미: To lead into a wilderness or to cause to lose one's way.

Germanic (English origin)

문화적 맥락

No major sensitivities, though it can sound slightly condescending if used to describe someone else's intelligence (e.g., 'He is easily bewildered').

Commonly used in intellectual and literary circles. In the UK, it can be used with a touch of irony to describe annoying bureaucracy.

The 'bewildering' world of Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.' Scientific documentaries often refer to the 'bewildering complexity' of the universe. Political speeches often claim the opposition's policies will 'bewilder' the public.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Science and Technology

bewildering complexity
bewilder the experts
bewildering array of data
totally bewildered by the results

Travel and Navigation

bewildered by the signs
bewildering maze of streets
completely bewildered by the map
bewilder the traveler

Legal and Bureaucratic

bewildering set of rules
bewilder the public
bewildered by the jargon
state of bewilderment regarding the law

Arts and Literature

bewilder the reader
bewildering narrative
intentionally bewilder
bewildered by the performance

Personal Relationships

bewildered by his behavior
it bewilders me why...
look at someone in bewilderment
utterly bewildered by the news

대화 시작하기

"Have you ever been completely bewildered by a movie's plot? Which one was it?"

"Does the fast pace of modern technology ever bewilder you, or do you find it easy to keep up?"

"What is a topic that used to bewilder you but now you understand perfectly?"

"If you were in a foreign country and couldn't speak the language, what would bewilder you the most?"

"Do you think authors sometimes try to bewilder their readers on purpose to make them think more?"

일기 주제

Describe a time you were utterly bewildered by someone's reaction to something you said. How did you feel?

Write about a complex system (like taxes or a computer program) that continues to bewilder you and why.

Imagine you are an explorer in a strange land. Describe the sights and sounds that bewilder your senses.

Do you think it is better to be bewildered by the beauty of the world or to understand everything perfectly?

Reflect on a book or movie that was bewildering at first but became your favorite after you understood it.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

'Bewilder' is a verb. If you need a noun, the correct form is 'bewilderment.' For example, 'The situation bewildered him' (verb) and 'He was in a state of bewilderment' (noun). Using 'bewilder' as a noun is a common mistake for learners.

Use 'bewilder' when the confusion is very deep and caused by something complicated or overwhelming. 'Confuse' is better for simple things, like mixing up two names. If you feel 'lost' in information, 'bewilder' is the better choice.

Only if you mean that *you* are the one causing confusion to other people. If you are the one who feels confused, you must say 'I am bewildered.' This is a common error with -ing and -ed adjectives.

It is a very common phrase (collocation) that means a large group of things that are so many or so different that they make you feel confused. For example, 'The shop had a bewildering array of 50 different types of coffee.'

It is a 'high neutral' to formal word. You can use it in a conversation with friends to be dramatic, but it is very common in books, newspapers, and academic writing. It is more sophisticated than 'confuse.'

Yes! It comes from the old word 'wilder,' which means to lead someone into the wild. So, being bewildered is like being lost in the wilderness without a map.

Yes, sometimes. You can be bewildered by something beautiful or amazing that you don't understand, like the stars in the sky or a very complex piece of music. It often implies a sense of wonder.

It is pronounced /bɪˈwɪl.dər/. The stress is on the second syllable: be-WIL-der. Make sure the 'wil' sounds like the word 'will' and the 'be' is short.

Common synonyms include baffle, perplex, mystify, confound, and flummox. Each has a slightly different meaning, but they all involve being confused.

The most common preposition to use is 'by.' For example, 'I was bewildered by his answer.' Occasionally, you might see 'at,' as in 'He was bewildered at the thought of leaving home.'

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