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
-
Invite someone in, agree on a clear next step, and follow through together so momentum builds without confusion or mixed signals.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
-
After shooting, there was initial confusion as to what had happened before journalists were able to reach their news outlets to report the details of what unfolded.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
No such mystery surrounded the whereabouts of Daniel Kinahan, the forty-eight-year-old Irishman who was arrested in Dubai on April 17th.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
These materials are key to technologies such as ultrasound, sonar, and high-efficiency sensors, but their complex, disordered structure has remained a mystery for decades.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These sensors enable real-time monitoring across a wide range of conditions, including low light, fog, and obstructed environments, while onboard AI and machine-learning classifiers help identify and flag potential threats.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
-
His 2025 tape, WOMB, embodied this through his pensive grumbles over wispy vocal chops; each bar that cut through the fog was steeped in sober gravitas.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mac Wilkins stepped into the discus ring that afternoon in a state of bewilderment.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Front Page Highlights As the war in Iran extends into its seventh week and a truce feels increasingly shaky, many Americans expressed bewilderment about a conflict that came with little warning.—
Ruth Igielnik Jake Michaels Motoko Rich Thomas Fuller,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puzzlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzlement. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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