What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bewildered
Example
She looked bewildered when she saw the mess in the kitchen. [bewildered: adjective]
Example
He was left bewildered by the complex instructions. [bewildered: past participle]
puzzled
Example
I'm puzzled by the sudden change in his behavior. [puzzled: adjective]
Example
She puzzled over the crossword puzzle for hours. [puzzled: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Puzzled is more commonly used than bewildered in everyday language. Puzzled is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while bewildered is less common and has a more specific usage.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between bewildered and puzzled?
Both bewildered and puzzled are considered formal words and are appropriate for use in academic or professional contexts.
