puzzlement

noun

puz·​zle·​ment ˈpə-zəl-mənt 

1

: the state of being puzzled : perplexity

2

: puzzle

Synonyms

• bafflement
• bamboozlement
• befuddlement
• bemusement
• bewilderedness
• bewilderment
• confusedness
• confusion
• discombobulation
• distraction
• fog
• head-scratching
• maze [chiefly dialect]
• muddle
• mystification
• perplexity
• tangle
• whirl

Examples of puzzlement in a Sentence

The cause of the accident has been a source of puzzlement.

The explanation only increased their puzzlement.

Recent Examples on the Web

In recent interviews, Selzer expressed dismay and continuing puzzlement about what went wrong with her poll. —James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024

After this initial puzzlement, I got used to switching to Edit view quickly. —PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024

More:The puzzlement of Austin’s original city plan By 1860, buildings were increasingly being made of stone, brick or sawn boards. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 13 Feb. 2024

Barbara’s face cracked in puzzlement, as if her ability to make the sale hinged on her ability to answer this question; her siren-red lower lip jutted, a vein shivered on her forehead. —Joshua Cohen, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

puzzlement

noun

puz·​zle·​ment ˈpəz-əl-mənt 

1

: the state of being puzzled

2

: puzzle entry 2 sense 2a