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definitions

puzzlement

[puhz-uh l-muh nt]
See more synonyms for puzzlement on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the state of being puzzled; perplexity.
  2. something puzzling.

Origin of puzzlement

First recorded in 1815–25; puzzle + -ment
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for puzzlement

perplexity, bewilderment, stupor, trance, shock, mystification, muddle, befuddlement, haze, fog, stupefaction, maze, glaze, discombobulation, distraction, narcosis, gauze

Examples from the Web for puzzlement

Contemporary Examples of puzzlement

Historical Examples of puzzlement

  • While they waited he gave Beardsley a look of puzzlement and new respect.

  • But still, his features mirrored no recognition or alarm; only puzzlement.

    G-r-r-r...!

    Roger Arcot

  • And old Brooks, over him, gazed at the wet figure with puzzlement and pity.

  • Now Jed felt it too, and looked at Cal with puzzlement on his face.

    Eight Keys to Eden

    Mark Irvin Clifton

  • Raoul glanced at his men as they came to a halt, puzzlement showing in their gestures.

    Shaman

    Robert Shea

British Dictionary definitions for puzzlement

puzzlement

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
Word Origin and History for puzzlement
n.

1822, from puzzle + -ment.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper