1
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
her explanation did little to relieve his puzzlement
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
the whole situation remains a puzzlement to everyone who was there
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puzzlement
After this initial puzzlement, I got used to switching to Edit view quickly.
—
PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
More:The puzzlement of Austin’s original city plan By 1860, buildings were increasingly being made of stone, brick or sawn boards.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 13 Feb. 2024
Barbara’s face cracked in puzzlement, as if her ability to make the sale hinged on her ability to answer this question; her siren-red lower lip jutted, a vein shivered on her forehead.
—Joshua Cohen, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2024
But puzzlement quickly shades into pleasure across the album’s sparse but unsparing 23 minutes: Ominous lyrics about scammers, guns, and LSD are brightened by some of Blunt’s poppiest compositions, full of swelling strings and jangling guitars.
—Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for puzzlement 
PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
More:The puzzlement of Austin’s original city plan By 1860, buildings were increasingly being made of stone, brick or sawn boards.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 13 Feb. 2024
Barbara’s face cracked in puzzlement, as if her ability to make the sale hinged on her ability to answer this question; her siren-red lower lip jutted, a vein shivered on her forehead.
—Joshua Cohen, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2024
But puzzlement quickly shades into pleasure across the album’s sparse but unsparing 23 minutes: Ominous lyrics about scammers, guns, and LSD are brightened by some of Blunt’s poppiest compositions, full of swelling strings and jangling guitars.
—Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for puzzlement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzlement
Noun
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Several riders crashed in the subsequent confusion.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
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Regardless, its introduction caused confusion and fear among Palestinians.—
Christine Leuenberger,
The Conversation,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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And what would a finale be without an update on the show’s season-long mystery?—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
11 Feb. 2025
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Understanding more about the phenomenon could help scientists to probe some of the enduring mysteries of the universe, such as dark energy — the enigmatic force that causes the universe to expand faster over time.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Listen to this article On Tuesday morning, patchy and dense fog returned in several counties.—
Garfield Hylton,
Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2025
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The weather service warned Saturday that dense fog near airports in Louisiana may complicate arrivals for fans traveling to New Orleans for Sunday’s game.—
Artemis Moshtaghian,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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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
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After the initial fear, other emotions set in: shock, bewilderment and a nagging question.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA TODAY,
30 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near puzzlement
Cite this Entry
“Puzzlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzlement. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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