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

How painful her bewilderment at finding herself with two small children! —Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

Krejci’s expression as referee Tom Kirk brandished the red card looked like one of genuine bewilderment. —Steve Madeley, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026

My dog looked on in bewilderment. —Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026

Last week, numerous contradictions and U-turns by the White House and National Governors Association (NGA) led to sweeping bewilderment about the status of the association’s annual meeting with the president. —Tara Suter, The Hill, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1