bewilderingly
UK[bɪˈwɪldərɪŋli]US[bɪˈwɪldərɪŋli]
adv
in a way that is extremely confusing or difficult to understand
Morpheme Breakdown
be
wilder
ingly
be
wilder
ingly
Etymology
the word's core lies in the old english verb 'wildrian', meaning 'to lead astray' or 'to lose one's way', which itself is derived from 'wilde', meaning 'wild' or 'untamed'. the intensive prefix 'be-' was added, forming 'bewilder', to emphasize the state of being completely lost or confused. the addition of the '-ing' participle suffix creates the adjective 'bewildering', describing something that causes this profound confusion, and the final '-ly' suffix transforms it into an adverb, 'bewilderingly', denoting the manner in which this confusing effect is delivered.
Analysis
Structure: be + wilder + ingly
be- (old english, intensive or causative prefix) + wilder (old english, to lead or go astray) + -ingly (old english, adverbial suffix forming adverbs from present participles)
Examples
the instructions were bewilderingly complex.
the plot of the film twisted bewilderingly in the final act.
he could switch between topics bewilderingly fast.