perplexed

1 of 2

adjective

per·​plexed pər-ˈplekst 

1

: filled with uncertainty : puzzled

2

: full of difficulty

perplexedly

pər-ˈplek-səd-lē  -ˈplekst-lē 

adverb

perplexed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of perplex

Synonyms of perplexed

Adjective

• baffled
• bewildered
• embarrassed
• nonplussed

Examples of perplexed in a Sentence

Adjective

He gave her a perplexed look.

The explanation left me thoroughly perplexed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Bettany is by turns hilariously perplexed, in the universal manner of parents engaging with teens everywhere, and achingly tender, in the more unusual way of a robot letting himself be overwhelmed by feeling for the first time. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026

College football fans were a little perplexed as to why the flag wasn’t thrown. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Nate said Klock, who was white, would introduce Nate, who is Black, as his son, which often left people perplexed. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026

The exact reason for the planet's unusual tilt has long perplexed astronomers, and debate continues over what might have led to its present-day appearance. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for perplexed

• ciphertext
• hypertext
• multiplexed
• teletext
• complexed
• deflexed
• plaintext
• pretext
• reflexed
• subtext
• flexed
• next