perplexed

adjective

per·​plexed pər-ˈplekst 

1

: filled with uncertainty : puzzled

2

: full of difficulty

perplexedly

pər-ˈplek-səd-lē  -ˈplekst-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of perplexed

• baffled
• bewildered
• embarrassed
• nonplussed

Examples of perplexed in a Sentence

He gave her a perplexed look.

The explanation left me thoroughly perplexed.

Recent Examples on the Web

How a prehistoric society managed to scoot the boulder so far without complex tools or transportation methods has perplexed researchers for years. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 June 2026

Those watching were perplexed that two people who could play husband and wife — albeit, locked in an abusive relationship — wouldn’t do press in the same room, let alone pose together at the premiere. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026

For Bogaerts, Severino is the one who leaves him perplexed, the one who has him asking why this guy, of all guys, owns him. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 May 2026

Some observers are perplexed as to why a serious adult drama is attracting the level of fan scrutiny usually reserved for genre material. —Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for perplexed

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