1
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
her explanation did little to relieve his puzzlement
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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 your title feels vague, create a one‑line summary and use it consistently in messages so your contributions land without confusion.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
State election officials and county administrators have warned that the conflicting instructions could create confusion for local election offices and potentially invite litigation if the issue is not resolved before voting begins.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
There is also the mystery around the captivity of Otto Hightower, Alicent’s father.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
For those who prefer fiction to nonfiction, mysteries edge out science fiction and fantasy as the most popular genre overall, and they are favored by both women and readers who read the most books per year (though men are more likely to pick up sci-fi and fantasy).—
Fred Backus,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
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.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
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Blackened with volcanic rock and encircled by towering waves, the tumultuous scenery makes a vivid psychic landscape for So Help Me God, a rambling spell of ’70s-era soul and exuberant orchestral folk-pop that sweeps through the fog of heartbreak and the clarity of self-discovery.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Uncertainty across the region The news of peace came with a sense of bewilderment and uncertainty in a region that suffered collateral damage through months of war.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
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Many of these terms were meant as insults and were – and remain today – tremendously rude, but others reflect the bewilderment of trying to categorize people who don’t fit into standard categories easily.—
Ky Merkley,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puzzlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzlement. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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