1
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
her explanation did little to relieve his puzzlement
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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
Foreign Office staffers described an atmosphere of puzzlement abroad and low morale at home.
—
Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Dorotea found the other acolytes and asked where her allies were, only to be met with not just silence, but puzzlement.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 22 Dec. 2024
How Ward failed to deal with the bouncing ball as Gomes desperately lunged at it is another puzzlement.
—Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
In recent interviews, Selzer expressed dismay and continuing puzzlement about what went wrong with her poll.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puzzlement
Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Dorotea found the other acolytes and asked where her allies were, only to be met with not just silence, but puzzlement.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 22 Dec. 2024
How Ward failed to deal with the bouncing ball as Gomes desperately lunged at it is another puzzlement.
—Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
In recent interviews, Selzer expressed dismay and continuing puzzlement about what went wrong with her poll.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puzzlement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzlement
Noun
-
This can cause dementia, confusion, and visual and hearing problems.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Further confusion, delays or uncertainty will be consuming your path now, Sagittarius.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Jewish couple fled Vienna in 1938 to Monaco, just before World War II, but the painting’s whereabouts until 2023 remained a mystery.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN,
19 Mar. 2025
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After consuming the flame, Anna gains extraordinary dance abilities and begins unraveling the mystery behind her friend’s death.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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National Weather Service has warned that visibility has dropped to 1/4 mile or less amid the fog.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
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But after spending most of the day under low stratus clouds, patchy fog and coastal drizzle caused by onshore flow, New Yorkers will likely need an umbrella for the evening hours, as a cold front coming from the west is expected to dump up to three-quarters of an inch of rain.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In these moments, an intense, nearly existential bewilderment sets in, usually followed by rage.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
The New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2025
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Even some fans were confused, expressing bewilderment or even disgust.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzlement. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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