bewildered at

USAGE SUMMARY

'bewildered at' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express feelings of being surprised, confused, or overwhelmed by something. Example: She was bewildered at how quickly the situation had changed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He appeared upbeat, albeit slightly bewildered, at the proceedings.

The New York Times

I was bewildered at what had just happened.

The New York Times

Some of the cognoscenti were bewildered, at least at first.

The New Yorker

On Thursday Tulloch was not bewildered at all.

The Guardian

It's a real mess, and she looks bewildered at first.

The New York Times - Books

The captured government officials are visibly exhausted, looking both defeated and bewildered at the same time.

The New York Times

"We needed a character who, like the audience, arrives bewildered at a Gay Pride march.

The Guardian - Film

I am just bewildered at why it had to get to this point".

The New York Times

Bewildered at this request, Max reluctantly opens his knapsack, asking why this is necessary.

The Guardian - Opinion

The police look a little bewildered at the lack of ticketing opportunities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The list includes twenty-one-year-old Colette Hawkins, a bewildered, at-loose-ends New Zealander, who has never heard of him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bewildered at" to express confusion combined with a sense of surprise or astonishment, particularly when facing unexpected events or situations.

Common error

Avoid using "bewildered at" when a stronger term like "horrified", "outraged", or "devastated" more accurately reflects the emotional intensity of the situation. "Bewildered" implies confusion, not necessarily strong negative emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bewildered at" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of confusion mixed with surprise. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bewildered at" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that effectively conveys a sense of confusion mingled with surprise or astonishment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase sees frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While "confused by", "baffled by", and "perplexed by" offer similar meanings, "bewildered at" distinctly incorporates an element of surprise. When writing, use the phrase judiciously, ensuring it aligns with the intended tone and emotional intensity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baffled by

Implies a greater degree of puzzlement and difficulty in understanding something.

perplexed by

Suggests a more intellectual form of confusion, often involving complex issues.

puzzled by

Similar to 'baffled', but can also imply a mild form of amusement along with confusion.

confused by

Focuses on a state of mental disarray or lack of understanding, rather than surprise.

at a loss for

Indicates an inability to understand or explain something, implying helplessness.

taken aback by

Highlights the surprise and shock experienced, rather than the confusion.

shocked by

Emphasizes the surprise and emotional impact, differing from the cognitive aspect of bewilderment.

surprised by

Indicates a general feeling of astonishment, which may or may not include confusion.

astonished by

Implies a strong sense of amazement, which differs from the sense of confusion in bewilderment.

flabbergasted by

Describes an overwhelming sense of shock and surprise, going beyond simple bewilderment.

FAQs

How can I use "bewildered at" in a sentence?

You can use "bewildered at" to describe someone's reaction to something confusing or surprising. For example, "She was bewildered at the sudden change in plans."

What phrases are similar to "bewildered at"?

Similar phrases include "confused by", "baffled by", or "perplexed by", each conveying a slightly different nuance of confusion.

Is it correct to say "bewildered by" instead of "bewildered at"?

Yes, "bewildered by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used alternative to "bewildered at". The choice between them often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "bewildered at" and "surprised at"?

"Bewildered at" suggests confusion in addition to surprise, while "surprised at" simply indicates astonishment without necessarily implying a lack of understanding.