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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in complicated
to make complex or difficult
let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in puzzled
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the question perplexed me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perplexed
Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
The country’s overall box office has deteriorated sharply, with average weekly grosses falling to levels that have perplexed exhibitors and analysts alike.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2026
Gargantuan boulders, twisted spiky trees, and vibrant sunset colors form an arid landscape that has perplexed and inspired creative titans like Jim Morrison and Gram Parsons for years.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Adjective
Last Sunday, the broadcast showed a perplexed, annoyed Wells who thought his team went missing.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
The country’s overall box office has deteriorated sharply, with average weekly grosses falling to levels that have perplexed exhibitors and analysts alike.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
The moment became viral on social media, with some X users perplexed at the interview.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2026
Gargantuan boulders, twisted spiky trees, and vibrant sunset colors form an arid landscape that has perplexed and inspired creative titans like Jim Morrison and Gram Parsons for years.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexed
Adjective
-
But some children—Hazel, Evan, and, of course, Jude—baffled Lilian.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Emotional rollercoasters for baffled European allies.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Investing doesn’t have to be complicated.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
15 Mar. 2026
-
How have those attacks by Iran complicated the dynamic of this overall conflict?—
NBC news,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At first, McCutchen was puzzled.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Policy experts were puzzled — but Final Fantasy XIV players were reminded of the game's most powerful weapons.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Be careful about coming on so strong that others are bewildered or defensive.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Just a direct, almost bewildered question aimed at the creator.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These killings—and dozens of other attempts and near misses in many countries—have disgusted decent people and embarrassed even many who hold otherwise anti-Jewish views.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
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The Americans were left to root for the same team that embarrassed them, and that team delivered.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But to be fair, if worn independently, any of these products could be easily confused for any standard accessory thanks to smaller chips and sensors.—
Brian Cheung,
NBC news,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Brad Pitt once confused DiCaprio's parents for extras.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Notably, Christoph Waltz appears as a maddeningly nonplussed priest tasked with hunting the titular vampire.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
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In a brief phone interview, a worker at Unique Bite Eatery in Indio appeared nonplussed and said there was no damage at the restaurant.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perplexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexed. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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