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
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
As my children both turned toward me, puzzled at my silence, the last three decades unfurled.
—Sofía Pereda, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
How asteroids get their spin In recent decades, astronomers have been puzzled by why some asteroids rotate like spinning tops while others tumble through space in chaotic, unpredictable ways.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Elsewhere, gold has surged to all-time highs, notably breaking past $4,000 for the first time ever, a milestone that has puzzled investors who aren’t sure what to make of the move.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Indeed, this key detail has puzzled music fans for decades.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 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
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
As my children both turned toward me, puzzled at my silence, the last three decades unfurled.
—Sofía Pereda, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
How asteroids get their spin In recent decades, astronomers have been puzzled by why some asteroids rotate like spinning tops while others tumble through space in chaotic, unpredictable ways.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Elsewhere, gold has surged to all-time highs, notably breaking past $4,000 for the first time ever, a milestone that has puzzled investors who aren’t sure what to make of the move.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Indeed, this key detail has puzzled music fans for decades.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzled
Adjective
-
Sholder appeared in the documentary and seemed more bewildered about all of this than anything else.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The canine, clearly confused, stared up, visibly bewildered and waiting patiently for the affection to finally land.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 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
-
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
-
Lauren Freeman, his cousin, told Fox News Digital earlier this month that a reference to orthopedic hardware in his neck had perplexed the family.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
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
-
Several prominent business leaders have already voiced cautious optimism, seeing in Mamdani a chance to reset the relationship between City Hall and commerce.—
Sally Susman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Taking the long view Many finance leaders remain cautious, viewing bitcoin as too volatile—especially recently—compared to traditional assets.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzled. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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