BEWILDERMENT

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does bewilderment mean? 

• BEWILDERMENT (noun)
  The noun BEWILDERMENT has 1 sense:

1. confusion resulting from failure to understand

  Familiarity information: BEWILDERMENT used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BEWILDERMENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Confusion resulting from failure to understand

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

bafflement; befuddlement; bemusement; bewilderment; mystification; obfuscation; puzzlement

Hypernyms ("bewilderment" is a kind of...):

confusedness; confusion; disarray; mental confusion; muddiness (a mental state characterized by a lack of clear and orderly thought and behavior)

Derivation:

bewilder (be a mystery or bewildering to)

 Context examples 

‘Mr. Phelps, sir!’ said he, looking at me in bewilderment.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

In five minutes more the cloud of bewilderment dissolved: I knew quite well that I was in my own bed, and that the red glare was the nursery fire.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

"I did it," he explained, in order to clear up her bewilderment.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

"But, I don't understand," said Dorothy, in bewilderment.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

“The cook!” I exclaimed, in bewilderment.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

With a cry of horror Alleyne sprang from his bed and rushed to the casement, while the two archers, aroused by the sound, seized their weapons and stared about them in bewilderment.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my companion.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

After a period, during which I sat in bewilderment, I set myself to try and discover what sudden misfortune could have befallen my companions.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But there was a look of bewilderment also in her eyes.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Mr. Bhaer stood by, watching her blush and blunder, and as he watched, his own bewilderment seemed to subside, for he was beginning to see that on some occasions, women, like dreams, go by contraries.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)