Synonyms of perplexed

perplexed 1 of 2

adjective

pər-ˈplekst 

as in baffled

faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do

the convoluted instructions for calibrating a high-definition television will leave many consumers utterly perplexed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• baffled
• bewildered
• embarrassed
• nonplussed
• confused
• flustered
• at a loss
• put to it
• confounded
• hard put
• hard-pressed
• disconcerted
• fazed
• put out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undaunted
• composed
• unfazed
• untroubled

perplexed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of perplex

1

as in complicated

to make complex or difficult

let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns

Synonyms & Similar Words

• complicated
• embarrassed
• confused
• sophisticated
• intensified
• complexed
• entangled
• complexified
• elaborated
• expanded
• developed
• confounded
• muddled
• snarled
• mixed (up)
• magnified
• tangled
• messed (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• simplified
• streamlined
• cut
• shortened
• abbreviated
• facilitated
• eased
• straightened (out)
• oversimplified
• unraveled
• disentangled
• untangled

2

as in puzzled

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty

the question perplexed me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• puzzled
• baffled
• confused
• bewildered
• mystified
• befuddled
• embarrassed
• stunned
• flummoxed
• vexed
• bemused
• confounded
• disoriented
• flustered
• disturbed
• discombobulated
• posed
• bothered
• rattled
• muddled
• bamboozled
• upset
• fuddled
• mazed
• muddied
• foxed
• addled
• buffaloed
• befogged
• got
• unsettled
• graveled
• stumped
• nonplussed
• beat
• disconcerted
• stuck
• mortified
• dismayed
• discomfited
• distressed
• agitated
• blew one's mind
• perturbed
• disquieted
• went to one's head
• abashed
• chagrined
• weirded out
• fazed
• discomforted
• deceived
• misled
• discountenanced
• discomposed
• unhinged
• deluded
• misguided
• fooled
• duped
• beguiled
• tricked
• strung along
• hoodwinked
• humbugged
• gulled
• snowed
• cozened
• hoaxed
• took in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfied
• assured
• informed
• reassured
• enlightened

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of perplexed

Adjective

Even within the briefing room, reporters seemed perplexed by some of Warsh’s statements. — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 29 July 2026

During an interview with Joe Rogan last week, as my colleague Helen Lewis reported, Vance acted perplexed that people had been so offended when a UFC fighter, competing in a fight at the White House, called former First Lady Michelle Obama a man. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026

Verb

Others are perplexed at the meshing of fact (Wat Tyler and the Revolt) and fiction (Robin Hood). — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

As crime units and crime tape surrounded the house, neighbors who knew the officer are perplexed. — Anna Meiler, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026