dumbfound

/ˌdəm-ˈfau̇nd/

dumb + -found (as in confound)

verb

  1. to confound briefly and usually with astonishment

were dumbfounded at what they saw

puzzle perplex bewilder distract nonplus confound dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally. puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve. perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.