Looking for synonyms for not understanding? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say not understanding.
- Baffled
- Perplexed
- Confounded
- Mystified
- Bewildered
- Puzzled
- Nonplussed
- Stumped
- Flummoxed
- Clueless
- At a loss
- Disoriented
- Muddled
- Foggy
- Oblivious
Want to learn how to say not understanding professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Baffled
Appropriate when someone is completely confused or unable to understand a situation.
Example: “The new tax regulations left the accounting team completely baffled.”
2. Perplexed
Use this when someone is puzzled or bewildered over something that is difficult to understand.
Example: “The CEO was perplexed by the sudden drop in company stocks despite positive market trends.”
3. Confounded
Ideal for situations where someone is surprised and confused, often due to something unexpected.
Example: “The project manager was confounded by the team’s inability to meet the established deadlines.”
4. Mystified
Suitable when someone is utterly bewildered or puzzled, especially by something that seems inexplicable.
Example: “The marketing team was mystified by the consumer’s lukewarm response to the new advertising campaign.”
5. Bewildered
Use this when someone is completely puzzled or confused.
Example: “The sudden change in company policy left the employees bewildered.”
6. Puzzled
Appropriate for a situation where someone is confused because they cannot understand something.
Example: “The data analyst was puzzled by the inconsistencies in the financial report.”
7. Nonplussed
Ideal for a situation where someone is so surprised and confused that they are unsure how to react.
Example: “The unexpected audit findings left the CFO nonplussed.”
8. Stumped
Use this in a context where someone is unable to answer a question or solve a problem.
Example: “The technical team was stumped by the software glitch affecting the new product.”
9. Flummoxed
Suitable when someone is bewildered or perplexed, especially in a situation that disrupts their plans.
Example: “The sudden regulatory change flummoxed the compliance department.”
10. Clueless
Use this to describe a lack of understanding or awareness.
Example: “Regarding the latest cybersecurity protocols, many employees were completely clueless.”
11. At a loss
Appropriate in a context where someone is uncertain or unsure how to respond.
Example: “After the client’s feedback, the design team was at a loss on how to proceed.”
12. Disoriented
Ideal for situations where someone is confused and not sure what to do or where to go.
Example: “The reorganization of the company structure left several managers disoriented.”
13. Muddled
Use this when thoughts or understandings are jumbled or confused.
Example: “The conflicting instructions from upper management left the project team muddled.”
14. Foggy
Suitable for instances where someone’s understanding is unclear or clouded.
Example: “The new intern was foggy about the specifics of the corporate filing process.”
15. Oblivious
Use this to indicate a lack of awareness about something.
Example: “Many staff were oblivious to the implications of the new international partnership.”
