bewilderment

noun

be·​wil·​der·​ment bi-ˈwil-dər-mənt How to pronounce bewilderment (audio)
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

Examples of bewilderment in a Sentence

the slightest change in her daily routine leaves her in complete bewilderment
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Greenland's residents echoed the bewilderment expressed by European leaders Wednesday in response to Trump's statements. Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2025 Romy drinks the milk, much to the bewilderment of the people around her, while making direct eye contact with the younger employee. Toria Sheffield, People.com, 29 Dec. 2024 But when strung together in a cobweb of obfuscation, the result is bewilderment, not communication; suspicion, not trust. Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 Scores of phones were held aloft to record the spectacle as the room bristled with a mixture of excitement and sheer bewilderment. Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bewilderment 

Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bewilderment was in 1793

Dictionary Entries Near bewilderment

Cite this Entry

“Bewilderment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bewilderment. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bewilderment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!