perplexing
adjective
per·plex·ing
pər-ˈplek-siŋ 
: difficult to understand : causing confusion
A perplexing feature of insomnia is that people seem to overestimate their sleep loss.—
Rita L. Atkinson et al.
Rita L. Atkinson et al.Chronic acalculous biliary disorders are among the most perplexing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in medicine.—Richard M. Gore
Richard M. GoreA perplexing problem, often encountered by cat owners, is that of a refusal to use the litterbox after using it for years in the past.—Susan L. Mathews
Susan L. Mathews
perplexingly
adverb
a perplexingly complex problem
This was all that I could observe of her in the dim light and under the perplexingly strange circumstances of our meeting.
—Wilkie Collins
Wilkie Collins
Examples of perplexing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The circumstances surrounding the collapse are perplexing, but several problems probably put too much stress on these civilizations.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 10 May 2024
But perhaps nothing can hold a candle to Michael Shannon’s somewhat perplexing Balenciaga chip bag.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 7 May 2024
Gradel’s interactions with the eBay seller, though, grew more and more perplexing.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
For many in Cohen’s inner circle, the accusations against him are astonishing and perplexing.
—Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
In the hands of the Surrealist Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, the answer is a resounding — and perplexing — yes.
—Evan Moffitt, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
There are perplexing plans and plot developments that could arguably rise to the level of plot holes.
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024
On the other hand, the profusion of perfume content in isolation and across social media was perplexing.
—Molly Young, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Made to withstand the harsh climate of the desert and thrive in it, the dead and decaying desert plants throughout the Sonoran landscape may be perplexing to those who see it.
—Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024
Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 10 May 2024
But perhaps nothing can hold a candle to Michael Shannon’s somewhat perplexing Balenciaga chip bag.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 7 May 2024
Gradel’s interactions with the eBay seller, though, grew more and more perplexing.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
For many in Cohen’s inner circle, the accusations against him are astonishing and perplexing.
—Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
In the hands of the Surrealist Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, the answer is a resounding — and perplexing — yes.
—Evan Moffitt, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
There are perplexing plans and plot developments that could arguably rise to the level of plot holes.
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024
On the other hand, the profusion of perfume content in isolation and across social media was perplexing.
—Molly Young, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Made to withstand the harsh climate of the desert and thrive in it, the dead and decaying desert plants throughout the Sonoran landscape may be perplexing to those who see it.
—Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perplexing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near perplexing
Cite this Entry
“Perplexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perplexing. Accessed 21 May. 2024.
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