1
as in to complicate
to make complex or difficult
let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the question perplexed me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of perplex
Norman is perplexed by shootings like this.
—
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Brewers owner Bud Selig, who would later become MLB commissioner, was perplexed at how a team could win 13 straight in April and then lose 12 straight in May.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
The criminal justice system In early April, a man failed to show up for his pretrial conference in Canyon County, perplexing his lawyer.
—Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2025
The revelation perplexed Wall Street traders, who had expected bullion to be exempt from duties.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplex
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Brewers owner Bud Selig, who would later become MLB commissioner, was perplexed at how a team could win 13 straight in April and then lose 12 straight in May.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
The criminal justice system In early April, a man failed to show up for his pretrial conference in Canyon County, perplexing his lawyer.
—Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2025
The revelation perplexed Wall Street traders, who had expected bullion to be exempt from duties.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplex
Verb
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Moscow has also touted a Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) capability, enabling warheads to be placed on low-Earth orbital trajectories toward their targets, a profile that complicates early detection and interception.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
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After excluding visits for VOC complicated by other diagnoses that necessitated an ESI 2 and visits for other acute sickle cell disease complications, the study included 66 ED visits by 41 patients.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The sense of arbitrariness that had previously bewildered and frustrated me was drowned out by excitement and sheer aesthetic pleasure.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
7 Oct. 2025
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Cody Meissner, a pediatric professor at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine who has served on ACIP in the past—arguably the most qualified of Kennedy's new lineup—was bewildered at why the committee was rehashing the issue addressed years ago.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The nurses at the nurses station were baffled.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement Many creators were baffled at the inclusion of YouTube in the regulations, especially since Inman Grant acknowledges teens can still access the content without having an account, and there’s plenty to see without logging in.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The games themselves are embarrassing enough to watch.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
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One agent was disciplined for insubordination after refusing to go along with the plan to embarrass Comey in this way.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But this cake isn't an exact replica of their earlier chocolate cake, leaving some guests confused about what this cake is.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
10 Oct. 2025
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Some companies kind of got confused [about] what their true role is and how they’re supposed to be delivering value, and that’s getting a bit corrected now.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Elsewhere, gold has surged to all-time highs, notably breaking past $4,000 for the first time ever, a milestone that has puzzled investors who aren’t sure what to make of the move.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
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The mystery is less about who’s involved in the game afoot, as alert audiences piecing together context clues will be immediately aware of those nefarious parties upon their introductions, and is more about the puzzling lengths the filmmakers go to in planting contrived red herrings.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perplex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplex. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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