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 of bewilderment

• confusion
• fog

Examples of bewilderment in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

After an exceptionally long pause, during which Affleck looked around the room in bewilderment, a drum roll signaled their victory. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026

Researchers who received the letter from AHRQ Director Roger Klein expressed bewilderment because much of their work has the same objectives that Klein highlighted as the agency’s current priorities. — Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Researchers who received the letter from AHRQ Director Roger Klein expressed bewilderment because much of their work has the same objectives that Klein highlighted as the agency's current priorities. — Arthur Allen, CBS News, 29 July 2026

The brand bewilderment came full circle at a recent conference in Arizona when Fran Katsoudas, Cisco’s chief people, policy and purpose officer, caught wind that a senior executive of Sysco was also in attendance. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1