Synonyms for

Puzzled

Verb / ˈpʌzʌld / Another word for puzzled — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

unable to understand or think clearly

Synonyms & similar words

mystify stick gravel vex ataloss baffle nonplused nonplussed stupefy flummox beat amaze get puzzle pose dumbfound bewilder nonplus perplex confused mystified baffled uncertain perplexed bewildered dumbfounded flummoxed muddled disoriented discombobulated nonplussed stumped thrown lost unsure unclear ambiguous

Synonyms by register

Formal

perplexed bewildered baffled confounded

Informal

confused stumped lost clueless

Literary

nonplussed discombobulated

Antonyms

clear certain confident understanding obvious assured decided

Common collocations

  • look puzzled
  • seem puzzled
  • appear puzzled
  • feel puzzled
  • remain puzzled
  • quite puzzled
  • deeply puzzled

Word family

noun puzzle
verb puzzle
adjective puzzled
adverb puzzledly

Usage note

Puzzled describes a state of confusion or uncertainty, often due to something being difficult to understand. It is generally neutral in connotation.

Example sentences

  1. I was puzzled when I couldn't find my favorite toy.
  2. My sister looked puzzled when I told her the joke.
  3. The teacher was puzzled by the student's strange behavior.
  4. The detective was puzzled by the missing piece of evidence.
  5. I am always puzzled by how airplanes can fly in the sky.

Quotes

  • It is the dim haze of mystery that adds enchantment to pursuit. - Antoine Rivarol
  • The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. - Albert Einstein
  • The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible. - Oscar Wilde

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