bedevil

(verb) treat cruelly. Synonyms: torment, rag, crucify, dun, frustrate. Examples: "The children tormented the stuttering teacher."

(verb) be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly. Synonyms: confuse, throw, fox, befuddle, fuddle, confound, discombobulate. Examples: "These questions confuse even the experts." "This question completely threw me." "This question befuddled even the teacher."