1
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
her explanation did little to relieve his puzzlement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
the whole situation remains a puzzlement to everyone who was there
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of puzzlement
Many progressives expressed puzzlement at how the party had failed to conduct a proper autopsy on the last election cycle.
—
William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
Not surprisingly, this proposal provoked fierce resistance and puzzlement from Middle Eastern stakeholders, U.S. allies, and even some Congressional Republicans.
—Peter L. Hahn / Made By History, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
There’s puzzlement, and of course all these factors play into a sense of moral injury.
—Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
But then there are puzzlements: more unexplained goats, a freezing-cold field trip and a preteen office worker.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzlement
William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
Not surprisingly, this proposal provoked fierce resistance and puzzlement from Middle Eastern stakeholders, U.S. allies, and even some Congressional Republicans.
—Peter L. Hahn / Made By History, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
There’s puzzlement, and of course all these factors play into a sense of moral injury.
—Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
But then there are puzzlements: more unexplained goats, a freezing-cold field trip and a preteen office worker.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzlement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzlement
Noun
-
However, since the start of 2025, there has been confusion among many in college mental health about how to comply with the intentions of the federal government.—
Eric Wood,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The bill would directly conflict with federal law, opening the door for homeowners to face confusion regarding what is permitted.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The observatory, which is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, is designed to scrutinize the solar atmosphere and the sun's magnetic field for tiny features that might reveal answers to some of the fundamental solar mysteries.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Mother and daughter were linked through DNA analysis in 2015, but their identities remained a mystery.—
Christine Pelisek,
People.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Morning Fog Effect: Coastal Chilean Wine Perhaps the most visible manifestation of the Humboldt's influence is the morning fog.—
Jill Barth,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
On Thursday at 11:09 p.m. a dense fog advisory was issued by the NWS San Diego CA valid for Friday between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. for Orange County Coastal.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
To the bewilderment of even his best allies in the Senate, there has been no hard movement on a presidential library.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Malone loves to have fun on stage, from the hip-wiggles to the genuine bewilderment that people came to see his set.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzlement. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share