The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 12 letter word BEWILDERMENT
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
B
E
W
I
L
D
E
R
M
E
N
T
More clues leading to the result BEWILDERMENT
- Risk enveloping crazier fellows in confusion
- Confusion of more savage fellows in risky enterprise
- Get less manageable – intended, it’s said, to bring about state of confusion
- Drunk trembled, wine causing confusion
- Confusion of less sophisticated people in punt
- Speculation about less civilised people creating state of confusion
- Dim rebel went all over the place creating confusion
- Let your hair down more, chaps, little time for feeling of uncertainty!
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "state of confusion" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case state of confusion = bewilderment.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does BEWILDERMENT mean?
BEWILDERMENT noun- The state of being bewildered.
- A confusing or perplexing situation.