1
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
her explanation did little to relieve his puzzlement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
the whole situation remains a puzzlement to everyone who was there
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of puzzlement
Sandie Yeaman, of Omaha, Nebraska, expressed puzzlement at the connection.
—
Scott McFetridge, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
The murder mystery exists at the intersection of Elsbeth and Shondaland’s other White House show, Scandal, combining political intrigue with parlor-room puzzlement—and that parlor happens to be located in the most famous house in America.
—Scarlett Harris, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2025
Many progressives expressed puzzlement at how the party had failed to conduct a proper autopsy on the last election cycle.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
In recent interviews, Selzer expressed dismay and continuing puzzlement.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puzzlement
Scott McFetridge, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
The murder mystery exists at the intersection of Elsbeth and Shondaland’s other White House show, Scandal, combining political intrigue with parlor-room puzzlement—and that parlor happens to be located in the most famous house in America.
—Scarlett Harris, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2025
Many progressives expressed puzzlement at how the party had failed to conduct a proper autopsy on the last election cycle.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
In recent interviews, Selzer expressed dismay and continuing puzzlement.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puzzlement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzlement
Noun
-
Indeed, there has been confusion over how many shots were fired when Finicum was killed and who fired them.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
-
But that means there’s even more opportunity for confusion.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These fossils are now helping to solve a mystery in paleontology.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Sep. 2025
-
At the baseline, that means making sure not to let the trash can overflow and instead taking it out often, as well as ensuring spots like your trash can, sink disposal, or fridge are free of any mystery odors.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Soon, the sun burned through the morning fog as more than 100 people gathered on the sandbar to welcome the paddlers at the end of their journey and offer prayer and song.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
-
In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
When that turned into mass annihilation, the most frequent Israeli excuse was the population’s state of shock, trauma, exhaustion and bewilderment, the sensation of being under threat from outsiders and in imminent danger.—
Uriel Kon
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Plans were met with questions, reservations, rejection, bewilderment, violence, and, more recently, a yawn.—
Hussein Agha,
New Yorker,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzlement. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share