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
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
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In other words, bills still need to be paid no matter the confusion of politicians eager to distort the pricing mechanism that organizes the market economy.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The infected person may experience anxiety, confusion, agitation and hallucinations, per the health agency.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Swanson is a mystery and could retire, Lavelle hasn't been at her best since 2021.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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Other than the color, the reason why the monks chose to bind their books in seal skin remains a mystery.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In Warfare, the fog of war is both a literal and spiritual fact.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2025
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On Friday at 12:37 a.m. the NWS Blacksburg VA released a dense fog advisory in effect until 8 a.m.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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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 21 Apr. 2025.
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