1
as in bewildered
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2
as in quizzical
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Dissimilar Words
as in baffled
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors
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Recent Examples of puzzled
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Wolfhard starts laughing at my puzzled face.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
But what's puzzled scientists is that these kinds of craters have only appeared in western Siberia.
—New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
Eels have a unique ability to move even after a spinal cord injury, a feat that has long puzzled scientists.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Some younger viewers may have been initially puzzled by the mashup, but fans of a certain age, or of a certain show-tune leaning, got it from the very first bar, or might have even dared to anticipate it when Erivo and Grande sat down on stools, side by side.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
The news of Luke Bell’s death made national news quickly, which puzzled his family and friends.
—Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
By the end of the second day, Cormican was puzzled.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
The conservative backlash isn’t surprising, but we were still left genuinely puzzled by the unshakable belief that a lesbian nun is as far-fetched a notion as a flying elephant.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
The whole situation puzzled me-the atmosphere even seemed charged with eerie energy.
—Joel M. Vance, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
Investigators say they are puzzled why the culprits left behind the colossal, 140-carat Regent diamond, which has been valued at $60 million.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
The statues, which were carved and placed on the South Pacific's Easter Island between the 12th and 17th centuries, have puzzled travelers since the first European contact was made there in 1722.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Analysts remain puzzled over the White House’s intentions, with some speculating that hardliners are vying to remove Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro from power.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Wolfhard starts laughing at my puzzled face.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
But what's puzzled scientists is that these kinds of craters have only appeared in western Siberia.
—New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
Eels have a unique ability to move even after a spinal cord injury, a feat that has long puzzled scientists.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Her mysterious symptoms puzzled doctors, at least one of whom suggested the pain was psychosomatic.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Some younger viewers may have been initially puzzled by the mashup, but fans of a certain age, or of a certain show-tune leaning, got it from the very first bar, or might have even dared to anticipate it when Erivo and Grande sat down on stools, side by side.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
The news of Luke Bell’s death made national news quickly, which puzzled his family and friends.
—Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
By the end of the second day, Cormican was puzzled.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
The conservative backlash isn’t surprising, but we were still left genuinely puzzled by the unshakable belief that a lesbian nun is as far-fetched a notion as a flying elephant.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
The whole situation puzzled me-the atmosphere even seemed charged with eerie energy.
—Joel M. Vance, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
Investigators say they are puzzled why the culprits left behind the colossal, 140-carat Regent diamond, which has been valued at $60 million.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
The statues, which were carved and placed on the South Pacific's Easter Island between the 12th and 17th centuries, have puzzled travelers since the first European contact was made there in 1722.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzled
Adjective
-
Snook and Lacy, who display such sharp instincts in their best work, seem to have been directed to overact; cameras freeze on their exaggeratedly bewildered or angry or devastated expressions, putting exclamation points at the end of too many scenes.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Instead, a bewildered stranger answers the door.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Aikman appeared to be a bit quizzical.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
-
In a YouTube video, the robot’s head glances around with a quizzical expression and blinks in a way that is eerily lifelike.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Played for comic relief, he is baffled by this son of his who attends college and, more perplexing yet, is suddenly obsessed with Italy and cycling.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Physicists were baffled as to why this material would suddenly stop conducting current once the tellurium content reached approximately 30 percent—a change that its basic chemical composition could not explain.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Glasnow threw to Freeman who tagged the bemused Bichette out.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Many of the British people in the audience were left bemused.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Most Venezuelans who spoke to CNN in Caracas were wary of sharing their opinions publicly.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Republicans, meanwhile, remain wary of voting to extend the additional Obamacare subsidies, said Rodney Whitlock, a vice president at the McDermott+ consultancy who was a longtime congressional staffer and advises on health care policy.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Coaches and talent evaluators, both inside the Raiders’ facility and around the league, have been perplexed by the lack of creativity and production.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Country fans were perplexed as to why Johnson, revered for his commitment to traditional country, had gone mostly dark in the studio during that time.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
After holding the mask down for a few seconds, Angel was pleasantly surprised by the results.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Was Laferte surprised to debut in the top 10?—
Pamela Bustios,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Fearing a spike in anti-Japanese sentiment ahead of the parade, the Japanese embassy in Beijing warned its citizens to stay cautious and avoid speaking Japanese loudly in public – perhaps mindful that in recent years, there has been a spate of violent attacks against Japanese nationals in China.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
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Crypto assets did rise modestly alongside other risk assets following signs of progress in Washington, but the broader tone remains cautious.—
Sidhartha Shukla,
Fortune,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzled. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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