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

In these moments, an intense, nearly existential bewilderment sets in, usually followed by rage. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025

Even some fans were confused, expressing bewilderment or even disgust. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025

Many TikTok users have expressed bewilderment, anger and anxiety about the federal fight against an app typically associated with dancing, lip-syncing, modeling, comedy and news. —Daniel Axelrod, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1