to bamboozle

Examples

• All

• The scam artist attempted to bamboozle the investors with a fake business proposal.

• Don't be bamboozled by these cable channels and these fools who come on and tell you.

• You tried to bamboozle us.

  One, Two, Three (1961)

• We're gonna bamboozle these guys for big bucks and go home.

  C.H.U.D. (1984)

• You think I'm still a Bad Guy, trying to bamboozle my way to freedom.

  The Bad Guys (2022)

• Don't want to bamboozle you with the details.

  Crackerjack (2002)

• When have I ever been so easily bamboozled?

  Lincoln (2012)

• I have been bamboozled by an Instagram ad, and it happened to me again recently, but I know it happened a few years ago.

  The Minimalists

• But how typical of the left to attempt to bamboozle and spin this story into something it ain't!

  Blog text (3)

• He has bamboozled us again.

  One, Two, Three (1961)

Synonyms

F

to fool

vsto bamboozle

704 2.1

To trick someone into believing something that is not true

often involves theatrical schemes and false friendliness rather than simple lying

T

to trick

vsto bamboozle

326 3.5

To make someone believe something false so you can get what you want

adds feigned goodwill and more complex schemes rather than simple cunning

D

to deceive

vsto bamboozle

270 3.9

To make someone believe something that is not true to get an advantage

adds pretended goodwill and elaborate plotting rather than general false belief

C

to con

vsto bamboozle

• Informal

61 7.3

To trick someone into giving their money or things

is broader, including theatrical false goodwill beyond financial theft

D

to dupe

vsto bamboozle

58 6.4

To trick someone into believing something false

uses elaborate schemes and pretended goodwill rather than simple lies

D

to delude

vsto bamboozle

48 6.3

Make someone believe something that is not true

often uses pretended goodwill and elaborate schemes beyond simple false belief

S

to sucker

vsto bamboozle

• Informal

26 6.0

To trick someone into doing something

adds elaborate scheming and faux friendliness rather than a simple trick

S

to swindle

vsto bamboozle

20 5.5

To cheat someone and take their money by lying

adds pretended goodwill and elaborate plotting rather than plain fraud

P

to play tricks

vsto bamboozle

15 3.0

To make someone believe something that is not true as a joke

is more calculated and uses fake kindness and complex plotting rather than playful mischief

S

to snow

vsto bamboozle

• Slang

14 8.9

To trick someone by using false words or charm

uses elaborate schemes and planned trickery rather than persuasion

H

to hoodwink

vsto bamboozle

11 7.4

To make someone believe something that is not true

relies more on elaborate schemes and false goodwill than simple misdirection

C

to chump

vsto bamboozle

• Slang

8 7.5

To trick someone so they look foolish

often uses elaborate false kindness and planned schemes rather than simple foolishness

P

to pull the wool over someone's eyes

vsto bamboozle

• Informal

7 8.2

To trick someone by hiding the truth

uses elaborate schemes and false goodwill rather than simple concealment

P

to play (someone) for a fool

vsto bamboozle

• Offensive

7 7.4

Treat someone as stupid to trick or cheat them

adds elaborate schemes and pretended goodwill rather than mere exploitation

P

to play a trick on

vsto bamboozle

6 2.8

To fool someone as a joke

is more about planned false friendliness and complex schemes than playful prank

F

to fool everyone

vsto bamboozle

4 3.9

To make all the people believe something that is not true

adds elaborate schemes and false goodwill instead of mere mass deception

B

to beguile

vsto bamboozle

4 8.4

To attract and charm someone while tricking them

uses more elaborate false intentions and plotting rather than charm based deception

P

to put one over

vsto bamboozle

• Informal

4 7.8

To make someone believe something that is not true

adds elaborate schemes and false friendliness rather than a straightforward trick

S

to spoof

vsto bamboozle

3 6.0

Pretend to be a person or website online to trick people

uses elaborate schemes and feigned goodwill rather than mere imitation

L

to lead by the nose

vsto bamboozle

• Informal

3 7.7

Make someone do what you want without them noticing

focuses more on elaborate pretence and trickery rather than steady control

H

to hoax

vsto bamboozle

2 4.5

To trick people into believing something false

is usually serious and uses pretended goodwill and elaborate schemes rather than joking

F

to flim-flam

vsto bamboozle

• Archaic

1 9.5

To trick someone by using clever talk

often adds staged friendliness and complex plotting rather than simple trickery

P

to play false

vsto bamboozle

1 8.1

To trick someone who trusts you by hiding your real plans to get something for yourself

uses elaborate schemes and pretended goodwill rather than merely hiding motives

H

to hornswoggle

vsto bamboozle

• Archaic

1 9.9

To trick someone to take their money or things

often involves false friendliness and grand schemes rather than simple trickery

B

to befool

vsto bamboozle

9.9

To trick someone so they look silly

uses more planned schemes and false kindness rather than simple embarrassment

F

to flimflam

vsto bamboozle

• Archaic

9.6

To trick someone by lying or cheating

leans on elaborate theatrical schemes and pretended goodwill rather than plain dishonesty

F

to flimflammer

vsto bamboozle

• Offensive

9.9

To cheat someone using tricks or fake deals

tends to involve larger theatrical schemes and false goodwill rather than small swindles

C

to con someone

vsto bamboozle

• Slang

7.7

To trick someone to get their money

focuses more on theatrical schemes and false friendliness than mere gain

C

to cod

vsto bamboozle

• UK

8.8

To trick someone as a joke

is more about calculated deception using false goodwill and schemes rather than a joke

Antonyms

R

to reveal

∞ 2.3

Show something that was hidden or secret

How Deceptive

to swindle

20 5.5

to deceive

270 3.9

to bamboozle

• Informal

11 8.3

to trick

326 3.5

to mislead

87 3.9

Surface Forms

Etymology