as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
his complete bafflement as to the point of the joke was in itself funny
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bafflement
Noun
-
Unlike his Western European counterparts, who waver between moral grandstanding and strategic confusion, Duda has taken the only approach that actually strengthens European security: full alignment with American leadership.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025 -
Each stanza reflects the confusion, horror and uncertainty that of the battle to keep Fort McHenry — and thus the City of Baltimore — from falling into British hands.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Kevin Gordon, a senior investment strategist at Charles Schwab, said the back and forth with tariffs has created a fog of uncertainty for investors, businesses and consumers.—
John Towfighi,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Central Sacramento Valley, Southern Sacramento Valley, Carquinez Strait and Delta and Northern San Joaquin Valley are under a dense fog advisory which was issued by the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 4:55 a.m.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
The Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The two Metroidvania progenitors — 1986’s Metroid and 1987’s Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest — cultivated a sense of geographical bewilderment by letting players unfurl the secrets of their arcane worlds in any direction along the X and Y axes.—
Lewis Gordon,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
-
While some have been in a state of bewilderment ever since Trump returned to Washington, D.C., nothing about the way the president has barged back into the White House surprises those who have known him for decades, writes Forbes’ Dan Alexander.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Gratitude isn’t obviously a concept capable of generating such perplexities.—
Joshua Rothman,
The New Yorker,
26 Nov. 2024
-
The performances, too, are more likenesses than full characterizations, which, admittedly, is wholly in keeping with the perplexities being dramatized.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Oct. 2024
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.
Cite this Entry
“Bafflement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bafflement. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share