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
Closeups of her face in various states of puzzlement, affection, or frustration dazzle, and remove any doubt: Liu is a star.
—
Caleb Hammond, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2025
His quotes circulated widely, shared by bloggers and fans on social media with a bit of puzzlement and delight but with little follow-up or explanation.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for puzzlement
Caleb Hammond, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2025
His quotes circulated widely, shared by bloggers and fans on social media with a bit of puzzlement and delight but with little follow-up or explanation.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for puzzlement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzlement
Noun
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Toys are supposed to be fun and exciting for children, while some are also educational, but a few products aimed at kids have caused a wave of confusion among adults.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Clarity awaits amid confusion, Libra.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In the leadup to its debut, the Apple TV/Sony Pictures Television show has been shrouded in secrecy — a decision that lends itself supremely well to a mystery-box sci-fi thriller that is equal parts philosophical conundrum and blood-chilling horror.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
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When the day of the follow-up scan finally arrived, the mystery was solved—not triplets, but twins.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Freezing fog makes driving, boating, flying, and other forms of transportation particularly hazardous.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Streetlights flickered before large parts of the city were plunged into darkness, as a thick fog settled over the streets and temperatures plummeted to –5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit).—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In a marked contrast to the undisguised anger, bitter satire, and clear-eyed analysis of his colleagues, bewilderment became the theme of his monologue.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Other residents in the neighborhood have expressed their bewilderment over the incident.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzlement. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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