PUZZLEMENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does puzzlement mean? 

• PUZZLEMENT (noun)
  The noun PUZZLEMENT has 1 sense:

1. confusion resulting from failure to understand

  Familiarity information: PUZZLEMENT used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PUZZLEMENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Confusion resulting from failure to understand

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

bafflement; befuddlement; bemusement; bewilderment; mystification; obfuscation; puzzlement

Hypernyms ("puzzlement" is a kind of...):

confusedness; confusion; disarray; mental confusion; muddiness (a mental state characterized by a lack of clear and orderly thought and behavior)

Derivation:

puzzle (be a mystery or bewildering to)

puzzle (be uncertain about; think about without fully understanding or being able to decide)

 Context examples 

“But what in thunder are you repairing?” There was puzzlement in his voice.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

This suggests tactics of an authority figure who has not exercised power and influence fairly will find that the usual formulas and domineering behavior won’t work as well in the future, perhaps to the puzzlement of this highly placed individual.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)