Synonyms
Examples of puzzlement in a Sentence
The cause of the accident has been a source of puzzlement.
The explanation only increased their puzzlement.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mullins, Adam Frazier and Ryan McKenna all had their hands up in puzzlement.
—
Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2023
And in this world, women are shown to be subservient to men, much to the puzzlement of Barbie and the pleased astonishment of Ken.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 July 2023
His flat-out refusal hints at untold secrets, a state of affairs borne out by the puzzlement of his patient wife (Amanda Wilkin, in a largely thankless role devoid of subtext).
—David Benedict, Variety, 13 July 2023
Perhaps no position, not even point guard, led to as much puzzlement last season as power forward, where Nicolas Batum and Marcus Morris Sr., and to a lesser extent Robert Covington — well-regarded in the locker room and for his defensive anticipation yet rarely used — formed an uneven rotation.
—Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2023
When the virtually the entire crowd of 27,000 or so lit up the enormous canyon hillside at one point in the show, Mitchell expressed her puzzlement after the song was over.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 11 June 2023
Much to his son’s puzzlement, Seung Cheol, a first-generation Korean immigrant with limited English, was in a buoyant mood that day.
—Danny McDonald, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2023
The guns of the Irish Civil War can be heard in the distance, creating puzzlement among the residents of Inisherin.
—Kyle Smith, WSJ, 20 Oct. 2022
His wildly inventive outfits drew both admiration and puzzlement.
—Paula Mejía, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2023
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Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2023
And in this world, women are shown to be subservient to men, much to the puzzlement of Barbie and the pleased astonishment of Ken.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 July 2023
His flat-out refusal hints at untold secrets, a state of affairs borne out by the puzzlement of his patient wife (Amanda Wilkin, in a largely thankless role devoid of subtext).
—David Benedict, Variety, 13 July 2023
Perhaps no position, not even point guard, led to as much puzzlement last season as power forward, where Nicolas Batum and Marcus Morris Sr., and to a lesser extent Robert Covington — well-regarded in the locker room and for his defensive anticipation yet rarely used — formed an uneven rotation.
—Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2023
When the virtually the entire crowd of 27,000 or so lit up the enormous canyon hillside at one point in the show, Mitchell expressed her puzzlement after the song was over.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 11 June 2023
Much to his son’s puzzlement, Seung Cheol, a first-generation Korean immigrant with limited English, was in a buoyant mood that day.
—Danny McDonald, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2023
The guns of the Irish Civil War can be heard in the distance, creating puzzlement among the residents of Inisherin.
—Kyle Smith, WSJ, 20 Oct. 2022
His wildly inventive outfits drew both admiration and puzzlement.
—Paula Mejía, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'puzzlement.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near puzzlement
Cite this Entry
“Puzzlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puzzlement. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
puzzlement
noun
puz·zle·ment
ˈpəz-əl-mənt 
1
: the state of being puzzled
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