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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puzzled
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Clean energy companies are even more puzzled.
—Justin Worland, Time, 26 Mar. 2026
High above the forests of the Sauerland, though a popular hiking spot today, individuals from the Iron Age decided to fortify this location with rocks, but why these Iron Age men would secure the mountain puzzled archaeologists.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 Mar. 2026
Two of them seemed puzzled by the phrase, struggling to parse out its meaning, while the third instinctively got it.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
The looks grew even more puzzled when Weir, known as the most boyishly handsome member of the Dead, grew facial hair, prompting comparisons to a Civil War reenactor or the cartoon character Yosemite Sam.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
He was greeted by puzzled expressions.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Despite ever-deeper foundations for higher and heavier towers — the latest now extend 20 stories down, more than twice as deep as the foundations of the city’s first towers — some oceanfront buildings still settled at amounts that puzzled engineers.
—Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
Her husband overheard the comment and looked puzzled.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
But how Bhuva's name came to be listed on reimbursements for at least 2,800 patients across 126 California hospices in 2024 is a question that has puzzled advocates who have tracked the unusual explosion of hospice providers in Southern California in recent years.
—Grace Manthey, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Ballard also testified he was puzzled by Rivera’s statement in a Washington Post story about PDV USA’s suit against his company, which was accused of receiving $20 million over several months in 2017 for doing little work for ostensibly promoting CITGO’s oil interests in the United States.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
This gap has puzzled researchers for years.
—Rhonda Winegar, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
The remains of these unknown creatures often puzzled their discoverers.
—Big Think, 25 Mar. 2026
This has puzzled researchers because lithium metal is soft, while the ceramic electrolytes used in these batteries are rigid.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
As the city gains national attention as a top spring break destination, viral videos like these have left outsiders puzzled.
—Ryan Nickerson, Houston Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2026
In the 2000 play, now in a Shotgun Players production directed by Kevin Clarke, Martin is puzzled by himself.
—Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Autoimmune diseases—a broad and complex category of ailments including rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes—have long puzzled researchers.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Clean energy companies are even more puzzled.
—Justin Worland, Time, 26 Mar. 2026
High above the forests of the Sauerland, though a popular hiking spot today, individuals from the Iron Age decided to fortify this location with rocks, but why these Iron Age men would secure the mountain puzzled archaeologists.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 Mar. 2026
Two of them seemed puzzled by the phrase, struggling to parse out its meaning, while the third instinctively got it.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
The looks grew even more puzzled when Weir, known as the most boyishly handsome member of the Dead, grew facial hair, prompting comparisons to a Civil War reenactor or the cartoon character Yosemite Sam.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
He was greeted by puzzled expressions.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Despite ever-deeper foundations for higher and heavier towers — the latest now extend 20 stories down, more than twice as deep as the foundations of the city’s first towers — some oceanfront buildings still settled at amounts that puzzled engineers.
—Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
Her husband overheard the comment and looked puzzled.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
Verb
There are, however, many lacunae in Paul’s writing and life that have puzzled readers.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
But how Bhuva's name came to be listed on reimbursements for at least 2,800 patients across 126 California hospices in 2024 is a question that has puzzled advocates who have tracked the unusual explosion of hospice providers in Southern California in recent years.
—Grace Manthey, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Ballard also testified he was puzzled by Rivera’s statement in a Washington Post story about PDV USA’s suit against his company, which was accused of receiving $20 million over several months in 2017 for doing little work for ostensibly promoting CITGO’s oil interests in the United States.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
This gap has puzzled researchers for years.
—Rhonda Winegar, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
The remains of these unknown creatures often puzzled their discoverers.
—Big Think, 25 Mar. 2026
This has puzzled researchers because lithium metal is soft, while the ceramic electrolytes used in these batteries are rigid.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
As the city gains national attention as a top spring break destination, viral videos like these have left outsiders puzzled.
—Ryan Nickerson, Houston Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2026
In the 2000 play, now in a Shotgun Players production directed by Kevin Clarke, Martin is puzzled by himself.
—Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzled
Adjective
-
This sometimes left audience members bewildered about what had actually happened.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The passenger in the back eventually looked up from her phone, noticed Louise, and locked eyes with this bewildered-looking woman blocking the crosswalk.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There won’t be any TikTok dances near Amen Corner, nor quizzical reels filmed with Jason Kelce under the Big Oak.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Right from his beginnings with the Talking Heads, Byrne’s quizzical temperament has fueled a determination both to never resist change and to remain open to all kinds of external stimuli.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Late Show host appeared genuinely baffled by the president’s current poll numbers during his opening monologue on Tuesday, mostly due to the 22 percent of Americans who are still throwing their support behind the 79-year-old former reality star.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Apr. 2026
-
No one, not even Jason — who is baffled at the galley’s sudden collapse — is more surprised at Ellie’s outburst than Ben.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Giddey gave a bemused nod, then a smile.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
That was John’s thing, back then, but leave it to both Beatles to have a bemused sense of class consciousness.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But while many strategists still forecast at least a modest advance, investors are wary of a minefield of risks.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Some council members were wary similar conflicts might crop up at the city.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Fifty Shades of Grey actress was perplexed.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Their presence prompted nervousness among beachgoers and surfers sharing the water, but marveled researchers who were perplexed by the abnormally longer stay close to shore.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Carla says her parents had no idea who might be behind the robberies and were surprised the thieves had ignored the millions of dollars’ worth of paintings.—
Jennifer Cannon,
Vanity Fair,
7 Apr. 2026
-
But no one’s surprised when Brandon’s ice cream wins, right?—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ebus added that interest in Venezuela is already dividing potential investors, with smaller risk-taking firms eager to enter while major companies remain cautious.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puzzled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzled. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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