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

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

After the initial fear, other emotions set in: shock, bewilderment and a nagging question. —Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025

Roya’s bewilderment is just one of the deep reactions prompted by what would seem to be a non-threatening endeavor, but Toossi knows full well that language and words and even accents can say more than meets the ear. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025

All were left to process the emotions, from bewilderment to despair. —Paulina Villegas, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1