1
as in bewildered
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2
as in quizzical
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Dissimilar Words
as in baffled
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puzzled
Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Despite ever-deeper foundations for higher and heavier towers — the latest now extend 20 stories down, more than twice as deep as the foundations of the city’s first towers — some oceanfront buildings still settled at amounts that puzzled engineers.
—Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
Her husband overheard the comment and looked puzzled.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
Analysts remain puzzled over the White House’s intentions, with some speculating that hardliners are vying to remove Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro from power.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Wolfhard starts laughing at my puzzled face.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
But what's puzzled scientists is that these kinds of craters have only appeared in western Siberia.
—New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
Eels have a unique ability to move even after a spinal cord injury, a feat that has long puzzled scientists.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
For decades, this has puzzled physicists and engineers alike.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
Juarez was overwhelmed and a bit puzzled by some of the responses.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
The comedy video series Murderbot has a robot puzzled by humans taking personal risks out of group loyalty.
—Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
While filming an unboxing video wasn’t unusual, having to do it before the dog park left him puzzled.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
The scenes puzzled observers abroad.
—Helena Carpio, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
Although puzzled, Aisha answered honestly.
—Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Like his wife, Moore was puzzled when their friend didn’t show up to eat dinner.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
He was greeted by puzzled expressions.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Despite ever-deeper foundations for higher and heavier towers — the latest now extend 20 stories down, more than twice as deep as the foundations of the city’s first towers — some oceanfront buildings still settled at amounts that puzzled engineers.
—Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
Her husband overheard the comment and looked puzzled.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
Analysts remain puzzled over the White House’s intentions, with some speculating that hardliners are vying to remove Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro from power.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Wolfhard starts laughing at my puzzled face.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
But what's puzzled scientists is that these kinds of craters have only appeared in western Siberia.
—New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
Eels have a unique ability to move even after a spinal cord injury, a feat that has long puzzled scientists.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Store employees were puzzled about any alleged involvement with El Primo.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
For decades, this has puzzled physicists and engineers alike.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
Juarez was overwhelmed and a bit puzzled by some of the responses.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
The comedy video series Murderbot has a robot puzzled by humans taking personal risks out of group loyalty.
—Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
While filming an unboxing video wasn’t unusual, having to do it before the dog park left him puzzled.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
The scenes puzzled observers abroad.
—Helena Carpio, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
Although puzzled, Aisha answered honestly.
—Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Like his wife, Moore was puzzled when their friend didn’t show up to eat dinner.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzled
Adjective
-
Olivier tried successfully to get the reader to understand how a gentle, pacific young man could come to kill more than a thousand people, and so capturing the tone and empathetic portrayal not only of Simo Häyhä and his colleagues but also of the often-bewildered Russian soldiers was essential.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The usually positive Gauff went negative, lacked energy and seemed bewildered and overwhelmed.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Baker initially shot Benard a quizzical look.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Aikman appeared to be a bit quizzical.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even Proctor’s defense attorney seemed baffled by the district attorney’s office’s handling of the case.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
This disconnect, despite all appearances of a serious campaign, has left many Democrats baffled.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The bemused interviewer then asked if Guardiola felt the interpretation of rules was different in the Premier League.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Over the subsequent stories, Goodman crafts subtle investigations of the relations between siblings, the fine blend of anxiety and pride parents feel for their offspring, and the bemused affection an aunt or uncle might feel for their aimless nieces or haphazard nephews.—
Chloe Schama,
Vogue,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Flick was wary of the youngster experiencing a setback, given recent cases involving other young players and preferred to bring him back gradually.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
While the singer recently said viewers do not need to learn Spanish to enjoy the show and only need to dance, some viewers are still wary of tuning in.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The moment became viral on social media, with some X users perplexed at the interview.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Gargantuan boulders, twisted spiky trees, and vibrant sunset colors form an arid landscape that has perplexed and inspired creative titans like Jim Morrison and Gram Parsons for years.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The monks have been surprised to see their message transcend ideologies.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The power of social media The monks have been surprised to see their message transcend ideologies.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Be cautious about taking on new debt that assumes your current income is guaranteed.—
Matt Shumer,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Connecticut education leaders are expressing cautious optimism as the state Department of Education tries its hand at course development.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puzzled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzled. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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