BEWILDERMENT Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

bewilderment

noun

bi-ˈwil-dər-mənt

Definition of bewilderment

as in confusion

a state of mental uncertainty the slightest change in her daily routine leaves her in complete bewilderment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of bewilderment There was, however, a sense of bewilderment in Britain as to how things went wrong so quickly. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 Former intelligence officials expressed bewilderment at the president’s characterizations of what’s in those documents. — Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 McElwee’s brother, having followed their father into the medical profession, received mentorship and experienced the glow of paternal pride, whereas McElwee’s youthful filmmaking vocation was met with bewilderment and doubt. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 July 2026 There was bewilderment, also, at the failure of the referee to get any kind of grip or control over the Paraguayan antics. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bewilderment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bewilderment

Noun

The company, which offers credit cards used to make rent and mortgage payments, had fumbled a critical transition, leading to confusion and financial stress for its customers.

— Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
Aggregators typically disclose this information in their search filters, and knowing it in advance avoids confusion on arrival.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of confusion

Noun

This horror movie mostly just smelled of fake fog from a community theater production and occasionally you were startled by random bursts of air, once again pulling you from the events on screen.

— Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Tech has crept into every facet of everyday life, like an invisible fog of ones and zeros.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fog

Browse Nearby Words

bewildering

bewilderment

bewilderments

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bewilderment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bewilderment. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bewilderment

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes