perplexed

adjective

per·​plexed pər-ˈplekst 

1

: filled with uncertainty : puzzled

2

: full of difficulty

perplexedly

pər-ˈplek-səd-lē  -ˈplekst-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• baffled
• bewildered
• confused

Examples of perplexed in a Sentence

He gave her a perplexed look.

The explanation left me thoroughly perplexed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Stitching the clip with a few seconds of footage of the parade singer’s breathless live rendition of the self-love anthem — performed in front of a gathering on the National Mall — Lizzo then cuts to a shot of herself staring pointedly at the camera, looking perplexed and disgusted. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 June 2025

Advertisement Advertisement Cole Palmer looked perplexed and frustrated as Donald Trump stood in front of him, smiling and clapping, even as FIFA President Gianni Infantino could be seen unsuccessfully urging the U.S. President to move aside so as not to obstruct the team’s celebrations. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 14 July 2025

Another surprise that has long perplexed researchers is those algorithms’ knack for their own, strange kind of creativity. —Quanta Magazine, 30 June 2025

Veteran Harold Gould earns laughs as the often perplexed grandfather. —Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2025

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