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
Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
Her husband overheard the comment and looked puzzled.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
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
Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Like his wife, Moore was puzzled when their friend didn’t show up to eat dinner.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
Cher admits she's puzzled by Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's relationship.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Yet astronomers were initially puzzled as Mrk 178 has no obvious large neighboring galaxies that could have triggered such activity.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 31 Dec. 2025
But this pattern puzzled researchers.
—Jay Kakade
december 31, New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2025
This contradiction has puzzled scientists for more than a century.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
When the cast of Survivor 50 was announced several weeks ago, fans and critics alike were puzzled by the overall lack of intentionality.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Her mysterious symptoms puzzled doctors, at least one of whom suggested the pain was psychosomatic.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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
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
Although puzzled, Aisha answered honestly.
—Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Like his wife, Moore was puzzled when their friend didn’t show up to eat dinner.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
Cher admits she's puzzled by Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's relationship.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Yet astronomers were initially puzzled as Mrk 178 has no obvious large neighboring galaxies that could have triggered such activity.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 31 Dec. 2025
But this pattern puzzled researchers.
—Jay Kakade
december 31, New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2025
This contradiction has puzzled scientists for more than a century.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
When the cast of Survivor 50 was announced several weeks ago, fans and critics alike were puzzled by the overall lack of intentionality.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Her mysterious symptoms puzzled doctors, at least one of whom suggested the pain was psychosomatic.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzled
Adjective
-
The movie took liberties, but White's fight for Stuart to be a mouse-like boy is an important part of his history, even if some are bewildered by it.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
13 Dec. 2025
-
Uma is bewildered at this new world, while Gopal can’t so much as look at her.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 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
-
One thing that baffled me a little were the flashbacks.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The team behind the shock discovery (in more ways than one) is baffled by this beautiful arc of material, which defies expectations and current theories surrounding such stellar remains.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
When the lights finally dimmed 45 minutes later, Safdie took the front of the theater after an affectionate introduction from Sacco, giving a somewhat bemused apology about the delay before diving into his remarks.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
17 Dec. 2025
-
His facial expressions are often pained or bemused.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Hamilton, wary of France’s descent into chaos and its aggressive wars, contended that treaties are contracts with specific regimes, not eternal bonds irrespective of change.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
As measles outbreaks flared up across the US last year, causing a record number of cases, Scott Thorpe kept a wary eye on Spartanburg County, South Carolina.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Anyone who abandoned this art would be at risk of experiencing even their own culture as a stranger would, perplexed by the symbols and signs swirling about them.—
Jason Blakely,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
-
The play certainly perplexed NFL fans.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Friends and social status are becoming increasingly important, so don't be surprised if your child lies to impress their peers.—
Sarah Vanbuskirk,
Parents,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Publix customers pulling up to the store at the Palms at Town & Country Mall in Kendall for their weekend shopping might have been surprised to see signs and banners on the front windows announcing that this anchor is closing to build a new store on-site.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Be especially cautious in school zones and watch for children and the flashing lights of school buses.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Two years as a mental health patient had taught Virginia to be cautious.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puzzled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzled. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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