puzzledly

7.8

In a confused way when someone does not understand

adverb
/ˈpʌzəldli/

: perplejamente

He stared puzzledly at the map, unsure of where to go next.

Examples

The student shrugged puzzledly, not understanding the teacher's question.
He looked puzzledly down at his plate.

Fiction book (1999)
"What do you mean by that?" she asked puzzledly, tilting her head.

Synonyms

quizzically

vspuzzledly

4 6.8

In a way that shows mild amusement and confusion

is more purely about confusion without playful curiosity

bemusedly

vspuzzledly

1 7.0

In a puzzled and a little amused way as if lost in thought

focuses on plain confusion rather than amusement or absent thinking

dazedly

vspuzzledly

1 7.1

As if confused and not fully aware

describes clear confusion without the dazed, stunned quality

confusedly

vspuzzledly

1 4.0

In a way that shows you are not sure or do not understand

refers to internal confusion or puzzlement rather than external disorder

bewilderedly

vspuzzledly

7.1

In a confused way when you do not understand something

is a milder, more neutral expression of general confusion

perplexedly

vspuzzledly

7.4

In a confused way, not sure what is happening

is a softer, everyday way to show simple confusion

confoundedly

vspuzzledly

Archaic

9.2

In a way that shows strong annoyance or surprise

expresses confusion more mildly and without strong surprise or anger

Antonyms

clearly

∞ 1.0

In a way that leaves no doubt

How Confused

bewilderedly

7.1

perplexedly

7.4

puzzledly

7.8

confusedly

1 4.0

Surface Forms

puzzledly positive

Morphology

puzzledly = puzzled (transparent) = puzzle + ed + ly

Formed by adding '-ly' to the adjective 'puzzled' (itself from the verb 'puzzle'); the meaning 'in a puzzled way' follows directly.

Etymology

Puzzledly comes from the common word puzzle plus the adverb ending -ly. A puzzle is something that makes you stop and think, like a game or problem, so to act puzzledly is to behave 'confused' or 'as if you are trying to work it out'.