bafflement

noun

Definition of bafflementnext
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty his complete bafflement as to the point of the joke was in itself funny

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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 bafflement Bartiromo’s former colleagues and friends talked about her MAGA transformation with bafflement and disappointment. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 Elliott was also mispegged as a folk singer during his lifetime, to his own bafflement; his music has a pop architecture that runs deep, and an architecture that goes deeper than that is purely, idiosyncratically Elliott. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 But those willing to pay can suffer betrayals and bafflements of their own. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 The result is an incredible repository of vexations, bafflements, witticisms, and brilliancies. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 Internally, the Bulls coaching staff has reached a point of bafflement with the forward. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 But public criticism, questions and bafflement have surrounded the decision to set out from the huts at Frog Lake in the middle of the season’s fiercest storm. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 Feb. 2026 The Ella McCay trend, originated by a Twitter user named Michael Roberts, began as a tribute born out of simultaneous admiration and bafflement. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025 Just silence and forlorn stares of players stuck in a state of bafflement and disappointment. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bafflement
  1. confusion
  2. fog
  3. bewilderment
Noun
  • Election experts have said many instances of noncitizens registering to vote are a result of administrative error or confusion on the part of the immigrant — not intentional criminality.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The confusion unfolded as a steady stream of women’s half-marathon runners crossed the finish line.
    — Vivian Yao, Baltimore Sun, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of confusion
Noun
  • Loose white sand blew into the air and whirled around at the edge of the sea like a fog.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Tigers’ entourage, scheduled to appear here for SEC Basketball Media Day, could not take off due to the fog, grounding them for their session, the league announced.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of fog
Noun
  • Religion, fear, prejudice, affection, money, family history, and bewilderment can crowd the same room.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
  • There are four of us on staff at The Verge actively testing Googlebooks and, frankly, our internal Slack discussions have been mostly filled with collective venting of frustrations, disappointments, and bewilderment.
    — Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of bewilderment

Browse Nearby Words

bafflegab
bafflement
bafflements
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Cite this Entry

“Bafflement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bafflement. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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