PUZZLEMENT Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

puzzlement

noun

ˈpə-zəl-mənt

Definition of puzzlement

as in confusion

a state of mental uncertainty her explanation did little to relieve his puzzlement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mystery

something hard to understand or explain the whole situation remains a puzzlement to everyone who was there

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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.

Recent Examples of puzzlement After initial puzzlement, however, the results spoke for themselves. — Valentina Bottoni, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026 To the puzzlement of Kelly and the other band members, though, that music rarely included Dead material, and at the start, Weir declined to recruit a lead guitarist to play similar parts to Garcia’s. — David Browne, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026 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 And that’s led to understandable puzzlement and furious assumptions in reaction to ESPN’s report Tuesday citing four anonymous sources saying Belichick won’t be part of the Hall of Fame’s class of 2026 when it’s announced next week. — Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for puzzlement

Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzlement

Noun

Even though talks with the Boston Red Sox at last year’s deadline never got close, the confusion provided by an incorrect tweet announcing Ryan’s trade to New England put the pitcher at the top of every trade list before the season even began.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
There have been confusion and contradictions in the lead up to the visit over accommodation arrangements for the Sussex family.

— Max Foster, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Definition of confusion

Noun

There was bewilderment, also, at the failure of the referee to get any kind of grip or control over the Paraguayan antics.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
And Bericoto, to the bewilderment of everyone, put his head down and started jogging to second, apparently thinking Haase had struck out.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 June 2026

Definition of bewilderment

Browse Nearby Words

puzzled (out)

puzzlement

puzzlements

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Style

“Puzzlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzlement. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of puzzlement

noun

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