perplexing

adjective

per·​plex·​ing pər-ˈplek-siŋ 

: difficult to understand : causing confusion

A perplexing feature of insomnia is that people seem to overestimate their sleep loss.

—Rita L. Atkinson et al.

Chronic acalculous biliary disorders are among the most perplexing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in medicine.

—Richard M. Gore

A perplexing problem, often encountered by cat owners, is that of a refusal to use the litterbox after using it for years in the past.

—Susan L. Mathews

perplexingly adverb

a perplexingly complex problem

This was all that I could observe of her in the dim light and under the perplexingly strange circumstances of our meeting.

—Wilkie Collins

Examples of perplexing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After a perplexing dream, Geron embarks on a quest to connect with his musically inclined son, Anthony, in hopes of creating music ice cream lovers–and the world—will love. —Devonne Goode, Parents, 10 July 2025

Riverside’s dissing of juries is even more perplexing given that California conviction rates in criminal cases top 60%. —Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 6 July 2025

The growing complexity of the guidelines is all the more perplexing because the government’s overarching advice on how to eat healthier hasn’t changed that much over the past 35 years. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025

Forecasters point to perplexing planetary phenomenon. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 22 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for perplexing

• annexing
• complexing
• flexing
• sexing
• vexing
• multiplexing