Word
bewilderment
Phoneticsbe·wil·der·ment, stress on the second syllable
US/bɪˈwɪɫdɝmənt/
UK/bɪwˈɪldəmənt/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. great confusion when you cannot understand what is happening around you.
n. complete confusion or disorientation caused by something unexpected, complex, or hard to understand. Often triggered by contradictory information or sudden change.
Examples
“She stares at the map in total bewilderment.”
“The tourists look around the busy station in bewilderment when their train is cancelled without warning.”
“He watched the debate unfold with growing bewilderment, unable to reconcile the calm statistics on the screen with the anger rising in the room.”
Examples
simple
“She stares at the map in total bewilderment.”
contextual
“The tourists look around the busy station in bewilderment when their train is cancelled without warning.”
complex
“He watched the debate unfold with growing bewilderment, unable to reconcile the calm statistics on the screen with the anger rising in the room.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “bewilderment” in context.
Verb
01. bewilderment grows
“His bewilderment grew as no one answered his questions.”
noun + verb
02. blink in bewilderment
“She blinked in bewilderment as the announcement was repeated.”
verb + prep + noun
03. cause bewilderment
“The new rules caused bewilderment among first-year students.”
verb + noun
04. express bewilderment
“Voters expressed bewilderment at the sudden change in policy.”
verb + noun
05. feign bewilderment
“He feigned bewilderment when asked about the missing files.”
verb + noun
06. hide bewilderment
“She tried to hide her bewilderment and nodded politely.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. growing bewilderment
“Growing bewilderment showed on their faces as the talk continued.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. look of bewilderment
“She gave me a look of bewilderment when I mentioned his name.”
noun + prep + noun
09. moment of bewilderment
“After a brief moment of bewilderment, everyone started laughing.”
noun + prep + noun
10. sense of bewilderment
“There was a growing sense of bewilderment in the classroom.”
noun + prep + noun
11. look of utter bewilderment
“The child had a look of utter bewilderment on his face.”
12. shake your head in bewilderment
“She shook her head in bewilderment at the confusing directions.”
Etymology
From bewilder + -ment.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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