1
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
her explanation did little to relieve his puzzlement
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
the whole situation remains a puzzlement to everyone who was there
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puzzlement
Still, imagery and data collected by the probe's instruments are portraying some head-scratching puzzlement.
—
Leonard David, Space.com, 6 May 2025
Theorists could scarcely contain their excitement—or their profound puzzlement.
—Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2025
The strategy drew puzzlement from economists, who quickly found errors and inconsistencies in how the administration calculated the new tariff rates.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Sandie Yeaman, of Omaha, Nebraska, expressed puzzlement at the connection.
—Scott McFetridge, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzlement
Leonard David, Space.com, 6 May 2025
Theorists could scarcely contain their excitement—or their profound puzzlement.
—Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2025
The strategy drew puzzlement from economists, who quickly found errors and inconsistencies in how the administration calculated the new tariff rates.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Sandie Yeaman, of Omaha, Nebraska, expressed puzzlement at the connection.
—Scott McFetridge, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzlement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzlement
Noun
-
But this caused even more confusion.—
Mitch Moxley,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
-
But, investigators found there was too much confusion over the interpretation of the rule.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But there’s a whole lot else going on here besides, beginning with that aforementioned lobby encounter between Mathias and blonde mystery woman Claude (Nadia Tereszkiewicz, more breathily reminiscent than ever of a younger Marion Cotillard).—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
-
This is a literary thriller, mystery and an ode to true crime all wrapped up in one.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Heavy clouds of fog shrouded the stage while strobes lit up the band’s opening, and a bubble machine was put into action at least twice during the night.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
24 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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Other residents in the neighborhood have expressed their bewilderment over the incident.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
-
However, Anne just shrugs in bewilderment.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzlement. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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