puzzlement

[ puhz-uhl-muhnt ]
See synonyms for puzzlement on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the state of being puzzled; perplexity.

  2. something puzzling.

Origin of puzzlement

1
First recorded in 1815–25; puzzle + -ment

Words Nearby puzzlement

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use puzzlement in a sentence

  • Scientists began giving serious consideration to the unusual phenomenon, pottering around in the pits, wearing airs of puzzlement.

  • Much to the speaker's surprise, there followed an interval of silence, and his puzzlement showed in the knitting of his brows.

    Within the Law | Marvin Dana
  • Mel knowed; a state of puzzlement or even a good mad's a mighty sight better than bein' all harrowed up and grief-stricken.

    In the Arena | Booth Tarkington
  • I was looked upon with some doubt, and scanned from hurrying cars with puzzlement.

    The Soul of John Brown | Stephen Graham

British Dictionary definitions for puzzlement

puzzlement

/ (ˈpʌzəlmənt) /


noun
  1. the state or condition of being puzzled; perplexity

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012