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Decoding the mystery: "puzzled" vs. "bewildered"

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 01/12/2024, 21:23

English.me team member

Puzzled and bewildered. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "puzzled" and "bewildered" are adjectives that describe a state of confusion or perplexity. They are used to express that someone does not understand something or is confused by a situation.

What is different?

"Puzzled" often implies a mild or temporary confusion where the person is actively thinking about the problem to find a solution. "Bewildered" suggests a deeper, more overwhelming confusion where the person feels completely lost or unable to comprehend the situation.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for puzzled) and bewildered

Examples of usage

Puzzled

She looked puzzled after reading the mysterious note.
The scientist was puzzled by the unexpected experiment results.
They were puzzled by the strange footprints in the garden.

Bewildered

He was bewildered by the complicated instructions.
After the sudden news, she felt completely bewildered.
The tourists were bewildered by the chaotic streets of the city.

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