flummoxes
Throws someone off
Flummoxes is the third-person singular of flummox, meaning to confuse or perplex completely: The math problem flummoxed everyone in the class.
Someone flummoxed is left bewildered, unable to proceed or respond: She was flummoxed by his sudden change of heart.
The word has a playful, slightly old-fashioned ring.
Causes thorough confusion
- bafflesPerplexes or confuses deeply
- perplexesCauses mental confusion
- puzzlesProblems designed to challenge
- confoundsDeeply puzzles or defeats
mystifies · stumps · befuddles · nonplusses · discombobulates · disorients · muddles · addled
Stops from speaking
- stunsOverwhelms with shock
- startlesShocks with surprise
- shocksSurprises or disturbs greatly
- astoundsShocks with amazement
amazes · astonishes · staggers · gobsmacks · flabbergasts · blindsides · surprises · overwhelms
bewilders
Causes thorough confusion
- bafflesPerplexes or confuses deeply
- perplexesCauses mental confusion
- puzzlesProblems designed to challenge
confounds · mystifies · stumps · befuddles · nonplusses · discombobulates · disorients · muddles · addled · dumbfounds
silences
Stops from speaking
astounds · amazes · astonishes · staggers · gobsmacks · flabbergasts · blindsides · surprises · overwhelms · jolts
stumps
Cut tree bases
outwits · outsmarts · foils · obstacles · impasses · deadlocks · predicaments · riddles · conundrums · paradoxes
flummoxesclarifies
Makes more understandable
enlightens · explains · elucidates · illuminates · demystifies