perplex

verb per·plex \ pər-ˈpleks \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

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

The 42-year-old Woods has been perplexed throughout the front nine on Friday as to what clubs to hit, frequently backing off shots to stare at trees for wind directions.

— jesse smithey, Detroit Free Press, "Tiger Woods having rough day at Masters, hovering around cut line," 6 Apr. 2018
Hamilton is perplexed by the very fair question, as if fouling in that situation isn’t what 99.9% of basketball coaches would have done.

— steven ruiz, For The Win, "Leonard Hamilton had the worst explanation for why Florida State didn't foul late in loss," 25 Mar. 2018
Finn in Star Wars seems perplexed by the scale of it all, but Moses, at the beginning of your career in Attack the Block is very headstrong, hardened.

— tom philip, GQ, "Pacific Rim Uprising's John Boyega Wants to See Everyone Succeed," 19 Mar. 2018
And the Orange can perplex opponents with their zone.

— usa today sports, USA TODAY, "2018 March Madness schedule: Friday's NCAA tournament times, TV guide, info," 16 Mar. 2018
The cause has perplexed the Department of State, the FBI and other U.S. agencies that have been trying to figure out just what made 24 intelligence officers, diplomats and relatives based in Havana ill.

— nora gámez torres, miamiherald, "Computer scientists may have solved the mystery behind the ‘sonic attacks’ in Cuba | Miami Herald," 2 Mar. 2018
The agent of Krasnodar and Russia centre-forward Fyodor Smolov is perplexed at the lack of Premier League interest shown in his client.

— SI.com, "Fyodor Smolov's Representative Cannot Understand Lack of Premier League Interest for His Client," 13 Jan. 2018
That’s a 44-point difference for those perplexed by math.

— stephen schroats, star-telegram, "It's 'One Shining Moment' that will live in NCAA tournament history | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 17 Mar. 2018
One of Kim Kardashian West‘s latest Instagram posts is leaving her fans perplexed.

— kaitlyn frey, PEOPLE.com, "Kim Kardashian Baffles Fans with Louis Vuitton Snake Photo - Here's What It Could Mean," 6 Mar. 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.