perplex
verb
\
Definition of perplex
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
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms & Antonyms for perplex
Synonyms
complex, complexify, complicate, embarrass, entangle, sophisticate
Antonyms
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of perplex in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Stark, who was also at the event, appeared similarly perplexed by the subpoena. — Jessica Boehm, azcentral, "Phoenix Councilman Sal DiCiccio sues the city, subpoenas fellow council members," 8 June 2018 The strange discovery last month is just the latest example of researchers perplexed by the location of their animal transmitters. — Mark Price, charlotteobserver, "Radio tagged birds tracked to last place you'd imagine - another animal's stomach," 2 July 2018 But Canadian officials said they were perplexed by Mr. Trump’s reaction since nothing Mr. Trudeau said was new. — Dan Bilefsky, New York Times, "Trump’s ‘Bully’ Attack on Trudeau Outrages Canadians," 10 June 2018 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 2018These 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for perplex
perplex
verb
English Language Learners Definition of perplex
: to confuse (someone) very much
See the full definition for perplex in the English Language Learners Dictionary
perplex
verb
\
Kids Definition of perplex
: to make unable to understand : confuse The math lesson perplexed me.
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on perplex
What made you want to look up perplex? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
-
- Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
Words to improve your Scrabble game
Take the quiz -
Which Came First? Quiz
Do you know which word is older?
Take the quiz -
Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
Take the quiz -
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share perplex
Resources for perplex