perplex

verb

per·plex | \ pər-ˈpleks

perplexed; perplexing; perplexes

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

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about perplex

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Choose the Right Synonym for perplex

puzzle, perplex, bewilder, distract, nonplus, confound, dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally. puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve. the persistent fever puzzled the doctor perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision. a behavior that perplexed her friends bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking. a bewildering number of possibilities distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests. distracted by personal problems nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible. the remark left us utterly nonplussed confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement. the tragic news confounded us all dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound. was at first too dumbfounded to reply

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 on the Web

Ah, yes, much like grandmothers everywhere, Hollywood continues to be perplexed by women who are not mothers. — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "Here’s an Idea: Do Not Ask Celebrities—Or Any Women, Actually—When They’re Having a Baby," 15 Jan. 2019 The greens at Quail Hollow have perplexed Woods all week. — Steve Reed, chicagotribune.com, "Tiger Woods: I'm getting close to putting it all together, winning," 5 May 2018 Apparently some senior stars within the dressing room are perplexed as to why Pardew has been given backing, and view the decision not to fire him as an acceptance of impending relegation to the Championship. — SI.com, "West Brom Stars Left Bemused as Alan Pardew Set to Stay on as Manager at the Hawthorns," 8 Mar. 2018 That may be enough send YouTube conspiracy theorists off to the races, but the absence of more concrete footage is genuinely perplexing given the number of presumably smartphone-wielding bystanders who claim to have seen the drone. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "We Still Know So Alarmingly Little About How a Drone Shut Down an Airport for Two Days," 3 Jan. 2019 Privately, Republicans on the committee were perplexed. — Juana Summers, CNN, "Inside the dramatic collapse of Ronny Jackson's bid to lead the VA," 26 Apr. 2018 The car makers’ approach is unusual, but German officials said any approach could be worthwhile to try to sway a president whose actions have left his allies perplexed at best. — Bojan Pancevski, WSJ, "Germany’s Largest Auto Makers Back Abolition of EU-U.S. Car Import Tariffs," 20 June 2018 There’s a waiting list for her drawings, some of which startle and perplex viewers. — Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, "Reimagining Black Experience in the Radical Drawings of Toyin Ojih Odutola," 17 July 2018 On the other side of the debate, wall proponents are perplexed why Democrats are voicing such vociferous opposition. — David Nakamura, Washington Post, "A look at Trump’s border wall prototypes," 6 Jan. 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.