bewilderment

noun

be·​wil·​der·​ment bi-ˈwil-dər-mənt How to pronounce bewilderment (audio)
bē-
1
: the quality or state of being lost, perplexed, or confused : the quality or state of being bewildered
She stared at them in bewilderment.
2
: a complicated or confusing state or condition : a bewildering tangle or confusion
a bewilderment of streets

Examples of bewilderment in a Sentence

the slightest change in her daily routine leaves her in complete bewilderment
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Suggest that opinion to a United fan, and you would likely be met with bewilderment. Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 There was no plan B in that regard, much to the bewilderment of supporters. Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 This slow fade is the sort of post-acclaim treatment Hollywood has historically reserved for Black women, though in Malek’s case, it feels born more from the industry’s bewilderment about what to do with the 43-year-old star. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025 In a perfect world for Robertson, the astonishment and bewilderment Knies had at Robertson’s game would be enough to push Robertson into the playoffs. Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bewilderment

Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bewilderment was in 1793

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Cite this Entry

“Bewilderment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bewilderment. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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