puzzled 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of puzzlednext
1
as in bewildered

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quizzical

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

puzzled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of puzzle
as in baffled
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzled
  1. bewildered
  2. quizzical
  3. bemused
  4. wary
  5. surprised
  6. cautious
  7. confused
  8. paranoid
Adjective
  • Yes, Sam Darnold looked bewildered against Detroit in the regular season finale, and that conjures all sorts of lingering doubts.
    Jordan Brenner, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore brought different weapons to this cute fight: bobcat Kilgore and otter Brie, both seeming a little bewildered by the powder that surrounded them today.
    NBC News, NBC News, 7 Jan. 2025
Definition of bewildered
Adjective
  • The nurse gave her a quizzical look and checked her file again, asking her to confirm her date of birth.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Noting the quizzical looks, Williams-Paisley pats the swan.
    Eileen Finan, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Definition of quizzical
Adjective
  • Mike Piazza still seems bemused by the twists of fate in 1998 and beyond that have turned him into a franchise icon.
    Jerry Beach, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
  • The Beatles themselves can only offer bemused waves and baffled chuckles.
    Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Definition of bemused
Adjective
  • Catch up quick: Insurance companies have become increasingly wary about their risk exposure after suffering major losses in recent years due to a spate of destructive wildfires that wiped out a decade worth of profits.
    Nadia Lopez, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Residents were cautioned be wary of broken glass or other debris.
    Anthony Trotter, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
Definition of wary
Adjective
  • Don’t be surprised if the project completion date slips into 2028 or 2029.
    Larry Penner, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Hill said that many were surprised to learn the extent of Hill-Wolfskill’s support for everyone, from family and friends to complete strangers.
    J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 12 Jan. 2025
Definition of surprised
Adjective
  • The Fed can afford to be cautious because the job market has remained strong.
    Ben Casselman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The Federal Reserve is right to be cautious and see how all of these factors play out in 2025.
    Harry Holzer, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Definition of cautious
Verb
  • Many people get confused by these forms which contain code and jargon that rarely offer a clear explanation of anything.
    Steve Weisman, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Not to be confused with DEI training, skill building is a way to help people improve their communication skills, negotiation style and overall understanding of relevant topics, all while leveling up professionally.
    Doug Melville, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Definition of confused
Adjective
  • There’s something transactional and performative in all his personal interactions that borders on sociopathy, before fame gave him good reason to be paranoid.
    Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
  • That should help other masters athletes be a little less paranoid about the dangers of an occasional training break.
    Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of paranoid
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near puzzled

puzzle

puzzled

puzzled (out)

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Cite this Entry

“Puzzled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzled. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on puzzled

Nglish: Translation of puzzled for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of puzzled for Arabic Speakers

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