bewilderment

noun

be·wil·der·ment | \ bi-ˈwil-dər-mənt

, bē-\

Definition of bewilderment

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 More Example Sentences Learn More about bewilderment

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Examples of bewilderment in a Sentence

the slightest change in her daily routine leaves her in complete bewilderment

Recent Examples on the Web

When his 11-year-old son, Billy (Nolen Dubuc), reveals a talent for ballet, a third element complicates the others: bewilderment. — Jesse Green, New York Times, "Dancing Boys and a Bloodthirsty Plant Sidle Up to Shakespeare," 29 July 2019 Some shared their thoughts — a mix of concern, bewilderment and frustration — on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely about a campaign many support. — Errin Haines Whack And Julie Pace, USA TODAY, "Kamala Harris getting pressed to get more personal about why she’s running for president," 25 June 2019 Luke’s bewilderment at June’s call, and request, is so apparent. — Elena Nicolaou, refinery29.com, "The Handmaid's Tale Season 3, Episode 5 Recap: A Seat At The Table," 12 June 2019 One of the former test pilots expressed bewilderment that the angle-of-attack failure was never explored in the air. — Anchorage Daily News, "The inside story of MCAS: How Boeing’s 737 MAX system gained power and lost safeguards," 13 Mar. 2019 Brian Doll still remembers the looks of bewilderment from his staff when the New Trier football coaches were timing players in the 40-yard dash last summer. — Steve Reaven, chicagotribune.com, "Carson Kosonovich, Donovan Perkins still shutting the door in New Trier secondary," 14 July 2018 Just looking at any of his almost 4,000 original results can inspire a feeling of bewilderment and awe even in professional mathematicians: What kind of mind can dream up exotic gems like these? — Quanta Magazine, "Three Puzzles Inspired by Ramanujan," 14 July 2016 Damond’s death sparked bewilderment and outrage in both the U.S. and her native Australia. — Steve Karnowski, Twin Cities, "Mohamed Noor sentenced to 12½ years in prison; apologizes in court," 7 June 2019 Damond's death sparked bewilderment and outrage in both the U.S. and her native Australia. — Steve Karnowski, Fox News, "Attorneys seek light sentence for cop who shot 911 caller," 7 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bewilderment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.