bewilderment

[ bih-wil-der-muhnt ]

noun

1. bewildered bewildered state.
2. a confusing maze or tangle, as of objects or conditions:

   a bewilderment of smoke, noise, and pushing people.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bewilderment¹

First recorded in 1810–20; bewilder + -ment

Example Sentences

He represents, said Terhune, who was profiled in The Times last year, men who feel empowered by Trump’s showman brashness and the belief that he shares their rage and bewilderment at a left-wing, woke society that conspires to leave them behind.

From Los Angeles Times

But liberal stress and bewilderment presumably isn't improved by seeing Democrats doing exactly what they always do in the latter stages of a national campaign: skewing sharply rightward to emphasize a commitment to national security and corporate profits, in the supposed pursuit of “persuadable” independents and wavering Republicans.

From Salon

A bemused Madelene Sagstrom looked on in bewilderment as she tried to prepare to hit her shot to the green.

From BBC

“There was bewilderment about what perspective I was writing from,” says the bestselling author, whose sixth novel, “Colored Television,” is out now.

From Los Angeles Times

I watched in bewilderment as he walked onto the floor to introduce himself to a beautiful brunette in a red dress.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• confusion
• disorientation
• perplexity