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
Even though Davis was six years older than Dončic at the time of the trade and had a more extensive injury history, Harrison defended his decision amid overwhelming backlash and puzzlement from Mavs fans as the deal rippled throughout the sport.
—
Christian Clark, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Trump’s fondness for Putin has long been clear, and also a subject of much puzzlement.
—Kim Lane Scheppele, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
His efforts are met with puzzlement by everyone but the children.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
As such, anyone who took this type of interim role is going to be out of a job and possibly have something on their resume that will be a puzzlement.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzlement
Christian Clark, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Trump’s fondness for Putin has long been clear, and also a subject of much puzzlement.
—Kim Lane Scheppele, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
His efforts are met with puzzlement by everyone but the children.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
As such, anyone who took this type of interim role is going to be out of a job and possibly have something on their resume that will be a puzzlement.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzlement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzlement
Noun
-
If any paperwork is involved, prepare it beforehand to skip mid-discussion confusion.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
-
However, cage announcer Bruce Buffer caused confusion by reading the scores incorrectly, announcing totals that favored Fortune’s opponent.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The mystery sound rose and fell over the course of one minute.—
Andrew Coletti,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
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Reports of a mystery rocket seen launching from Cape Canaveral on Thursday could be another hypersonic missile test for the Department of Defense.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Some patchy inland fog was also possible, mainly across the interior and over on the southwestern coast of Florida.—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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Where my world was hemmed in by ridgelines and holler roads, Mary Lennox’s world was hemmed in by fog and wind and the low moan of a manor house that seemed to breathe on its own.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The look of bewilderment on Jared Bednar’s face was palpable.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Jacobson’s Willy is a whirl of insecurity, misplaced self-confidence and bewilderment at how his world has changed around him.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puzzlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzlement. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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