bewilderment

noun

be·​wil·​der·​ment bi-ˈwil-dər-mənt 

bē-

1

: the quality or state of being lost, perplexed, or confused : the quality or state of being bewildered

She stared at them in bewilderment.

2

: a complicated or confusing state or condition : a bewildering tangle or confusion

a bewilderment of streets

Synonyms

• bafflement
• bamboozlement
• befuddlement
• bemusement
• bewilderedness
• confusedness
• confusion
• discombobulation
• distraction
• fog
• head-scratching
• maze [chiefly dialect]
• muddle
• mystification
• perplexity
• puzzlement
• tangle
• whirl

Examples of bewilderment in a Sentence

the slightest change in her daily routine leaves her in complete bewilderment

Recent Examples on the Web

The two Metroidvania progenitors — 1986’s Metroid and 1987’s Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest — cultivated a sense of geographical bewilderment by letting players unfurl the secrets of their arcane worlds in any direction along the X and Y axes. —Lewis Gordon, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

While some have been in a state of bewilderment ever since Trump returned to Washington, D.C., nothing about the way the president has barged back into the White House surprises those who have known him for decades, writes Forbes’ Dan Alexander. —Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

With an ecstatic Chris Webber draped all over him, KG stared in bewilderment at the alien in purple. —Marcus Thompson Ii, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025

Soon, the Pentagon May Not (Exclusive) Thousands of miles away at USAID outposts around the globe, panic, betrayal and bewilderment pervade. —Dawn Klavon, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1