What term describes a feeling of confusion or bewilderment?

The term that best describes a feeling of confusion or bewilderment is "bafflement." This word captures a state of being completely bewildered or puzzled, often due to the complexity or unexpected nature of a situation. Bafflement conveys a deeper sense of confusion that might arise from not only a lack of understanding but also an inability to process or make sense of the circumstances at hand.

On the other hand, while the other options also relate to feelings of confusion, they each have slightly different connotations. "Disorientation" typically refers to a lack of awareness of one's position or surroundings, which may lead to confusion but doesn’t encompass the broader emotional or cognitive impacts that "bafflement" suggests. "Confusion" is a general term that can describe a lack of clarity but lacks the nuance that "bafflement" provides in expressing a sense of being thoroughly perplexed. "Perplexity" also relates closely to confusion and can indicate a state of being puzzled, but it doesn't quite capture the profound sense of bewilderment that "bafflement" implies.

Understanding these nuances can help you more accurately use and discern synonyms of confusion in various contexts.