flummoxing
Leaving someone stumped
Flummoxing is the present participle of flummox, meaning to confuse or perplex completely.
Something flummoxing bewilders you, leaves you unable to proceed or respond: The instructions were flummoxing—I couldn't make sense of them.
The word has an informal, slightly comic tone.
Causing mental confusion
- puzzlingCausing confusion or bewilderment
- bafflingImpossible to understand
- confoundingCausing surprise or confusion
- mystifyingCausing complete confusion
befuddling · discombobulating · dumbfounding · stupefying · bemusing · confusing · addling · muddling
Intensely irritating
- vexingCausing mild torment
- aggravatingCausing irritation or worsening
- maddeningCausing extreme frustration
- infuriatingCausing extreme anger
irritating · trying · taxing · challenging · troublesome · bothersome · provoking · disheartening
Obstructing intended outcomes
- foilingDefeating an attempt
- stymieingPreventing forward movement
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- impedingBlocking forward motion
frustrating · hindering · derailing · defeating · stumping · stonewalling · stalling · outmaneuvering
Causing unease or confusion
- discomfitingCausing embarrassment or unease
- unnervingCausing loss of composure
- rattlingProducing rapid knocks
- flusteringCausing nervous confusion
fazed · throwing · shaking · disturbing · discomposing · disquieting · jarring · startling
perplexing
Causing mental confusion
- puzzlingCausing confusion or bewilderment
- bafflingImpossible to understand
- confoundingCausing surprise or confusion
mystifying · befuddling · discombobulating · dumbfounding · stupefying · bemusing · confusing · addling · muddling · obfuscating
exasperating
Intensely irritating
- vexingCausing mild torment
- aggravatingCausing irritation or worsening
- maddeningCausing extreme frustration
infuriating · irritating · trying · taxing · challenging · troublesome · bothersome · provoking · disheartening · discouraging
thwarting
Obstructing intended outcomes
impeding · frustrating · hindering · derailing · defeating · stumping · stonewalling · stalling · outmaneuvering · outwitting
disconcerting
Causing unease or confusion
- discomfitingCausing embarrassment or unease
- unnervingCausing loss of composure
- rattlingProducing rapid knocks
flustering · fazed · throwing · shaking · disturbing · discomposing · disquieting · jarring · startling · jolting
flummoxingclarifying
Making something understandable
enlightening · illuminating · elucidating · explaining · demystifying
flummoxingstraightforward
Clear and uncomplicated
simple · easy · comprehensible · clear · understandable