bewilderment
/bɪˈwɪl.də.mənt/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Bewilderment is a feeling of confusion because something is hard to understand. It can also mean a confused expression or state.
- She stared at the screen in bewilderment.
- His answer caused general bewilderment.
- I looked at him in bewilderment.
Adinary Nuance
Bewilderment is stronger and more literary than simple confusion. Use it when someone feels lost, puzzled, or mentally thrown off by something unexpected. Confusion is the more everyday word; bewilderment sounds more formal and expressive. You would not usually say it in very casual speech.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự bối rối
- Spanish
- desconcierto
- Chinese
- 困惑
- Japanese
- 当惑
- Korean
- 당혹감
Etymology
Bewilderment comes from the verb bewilder, which appeared in English in the 1600s. It combines be- with an old word related to being lost in the wild.
Common phrases
in bewildermenta look of bewildermentsheer bewilderment
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is bewilderment the same as confusion?
- They are close, but bewilderment feels stronger and more formal than confusion.
- Can I use bewilderment in academic writing?
- Yes. It works well in essays, reports, and formal descriptions.
- Is bewilderment a common word in spoken English?
- It is understood, but people often say confused or puzzled in everyday speech.
- What is the difference between bewilderment and puzzlement?
- Puzzlement is milder. Bewilderment suggests deeper confusion or being mentally overwhelmed.