puzzlement

noun

puz·​zle·​ment ˈpə-zəl-mənt How to pronounce puzzlement (audio)
Synonyms of puzzlementnext
1
: the state of being puzzled : perplexity
2
: puzzle

Synonyms of puzzlement

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Examples of puzzlement in a Sentence

The cause of the accident has been a source of puzzlement. The explanation only increased their puzzlement.
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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.
Seeing the characters of ‘Severance’ experience the same puzzlement makes the show relatable. — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 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 There is puzzlement on both sides. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for puzzlement

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of puzzlement was in 1731

Browse Nearby Words

puzzle lock
puzzlement
puzzle out
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Cite this Entry

“Puzzlement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puzzlement. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

puzzlement

noun
puz·​zle·​ment ˈpəz-əl-mənt How to pronounce puzzlement (audio)
1
: the state of being puzzled
2
: puzzle entry 2 sense 2a

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Nglish: Translation of puzzlement for Spanish Speakers

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