perplex

verb per·plex \ pər-ˈpleks \

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

Even when Hamlet perplexes, his conduct seems to make psychological sense.

— charles mcnulty, latimes.com, "Who is Hamlet? Three actors make their case," 19 Aug. 2017
The Aug. 5 New Orleans flood has perplexed many residents knowledgeable of the vast network of canals and underground pipes that make up the city's drainage system.

— mark schleifstein, NOLA.com, "Here's how New Orleans' drainage is supposed to work," 11 Aug. 2017
From the Land of the Moon is an adaptation of a novel by Milena Agus that explored the idea of feminine longing as experienced by Gabrielle, a daughter from a middle-class French farming family, but her feelings perplex everyone around her.

— armond white, National Review, "From the Land of the Moon," 28 July 2017
Finally, I was perplexed by the suggestion that Louisville and Lexington want to secede from Kentucky.

— joseph gerth, The Courier-Journal, "'Elitist' Louisville and Lexington prop up small-town Kentucky," 13 July 2017
At the time, the C-SPAN interviewer didn’t even know who Johnson was and seemed to be perplexed at the crowd of adoring fans in his circle at the convention.

— hilary weaver, Vanities, "The Rock Has a Presidential Campaign Committee—Whether He Knows It or Not," 10 July 2017
For 80 years, the mystery of what in the hell happened to Amelia Earhart on her round-the-world journey has perplexed the public.

— dayna evans, The Cut, "Blurry Photo of Amelia Earhart Found — Mystery Solved?," 5 July 2017
Some dioceses don’t even know about the vocation and are perplexed at first when a woman asks about it.

— ann zaniewski, charlotteobserver, "Married to Jesus: Women make lifelong virginity pledge," 5 July 2017
Christie's Horizon proposal has perplexed some conservatives, who are fighting the legislation.

— michael catalini, Indianapolis Star, "Gov. Chris Christie is blistered over his day at the beach," 3 July 2017

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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perplex Synonyms

Synonyms

complex, complexify, embarrass, entangle, complicate, sophisticate

Antonyms

simplify, streamline

Related Words

develop, elaborate, expand; intensify, magnify; confound, confuse, mess (up), mix (up), muddle; snarl, tangle

Near Antonyms

abbreviate, cut, shorten; ease, facilitate; disentangle, straighten (out), unravel, untangle; oversimplify

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.