Standard Lemma guide

puzzlement

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: P AH1 Z AH0 L M AH0 N T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The confusing state of being puzzled; bewilderment.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • The puzzlement caused by the complex system led to great anger.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: wonderment

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A puzzle; something baffling.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

confusion resulting from failure to understand

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bewilderment, obfuscation, befuddlement, mystification, bafflement, bemusement

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: confusion, mental confusion, confusedness, muddiness, disarray

History

Etymology

From puzzle + -ment.