perplex

verb per·plex \ pər-ˈpleks \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 2018

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Examples: perplex in a Sentence

Definition of perplex

transitive verb

1 : to make unable to grasp something clearly or to think logically and decisively about something

her attitude perplexes me

a perplexing problem

2 : to make intricate or involved : complicate

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Examples of perplex in a Sentence

Questions about the meaning of life have always perplexed humankind.
let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns

Recent Examples of perplex from the Web

Beyond the soft silicone bit for your ear, there’s zero give or flex to the Ear Duos, and I was genuinely perplexed as to how to get them on at first.

— chris welch, The Verge, "Sony’s futuristic earbuds are a pain in the present," 29 June 2018
Police said the relative was perplexed, having not seen the mother and son in a while, and got curious.

— joshua sharpe, ajc, "Cops: DeKalb mom took murder suspect to hide in Arizona (and failed)," 25 June 2018
One doctor puffed out his cheeks, looking perplexed, while another leaned close to her screen, eyes squinting.

— robyn dixon, latimes.com, "China plans to dominate AI, with a vanguard of robotic doctors like 'Biomind'," 6 July 2018
Nursing home administrators are perplexed by the holdup.

— Washington Post, "APNewsBreak: Illinois on hook for $300M in nursing care," 28 June 2018
The case perplexed investigators because Cunningham's keys, cell phone, credit cards, debit cards, wallet and all forms of identification were found in his house, along with his beloved dog.

— alanne orjoux, dakin andone and wayne drash, CNN, "Missing CDC worker's death was a suicide by drowning, medical examiner rules," 23 May 2018
But he has been perplexed by the Stadium Course, just like so many others.

— doug ferguson, BostonGlobe.com, "PGA’s top players searching for secret at Sawgrass," 9 May 2018
That the government has waded into such a controversial area has left some MPs perplexed.

— The Economist, "A culture war comes to Westminster," 5 July 2018
To anyone perplexed by the trial, the judge supplied fresh insights timed to the disappearance a decade ago of Casey Anthony’s daughter, Caylee.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Casey Anthony: Judge praises Jose Baez," 24 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perplex.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of perplex

obsolete perplex, adjective, involved, perplexed, from Latin perplexus, from per- thoroughly + plexus involved, from past participle of plectere to braid, twine — more at per-, ply

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

perplex Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of perplex

puzzle, perplex, bewilder, distract, nonplus, confound, dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally. puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.