bedevil in WordNet English dictionary

1. be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
   "These questions confuse even the experts"; "This question completely threw me"; "This question befuddled even the teacher"
   confuse  throw  fox  befuddle  fuddle  bedevil  confound  discombobulate 
   
2. treat cruelly
   "The children tormented the stuttering teacher"
   torment  rag  bedevil  crucify  dun  frustrate