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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of perplexed
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The deal ends years of lawsuits and a bitter separation that perplexed and irritated customers who frequented both complexes during their shopping excursion.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025
His dedication perplexed many people around him.
—Sofie Buckminster, semafor.com, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Adjective
The perplexed owner couldn’t resist capturing a video of that chaotic moment and shared it on TikTok.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The deal ends years of lawsuits and a bitter separation that perplexed and irritated customers who frequented both complexes during their shopping excursion.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
Verb
All voiceover in the film is detached from the images, from a mixture of unidentified community folk who are content to speak anonymously, and neighboring outsiders perplexed by these out-of-time pacifists.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025
His dedication perplexed many people around him.
—Sofie Buckminster, semafor.com, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexed
Adjective
-
During the latest hearing in the case, Young repeatedly seemed baffled that the country’s top leaders would attempt to implement such a policy.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Many are somewhat baffled or turned off by the ale.—
Gary Stoller,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Contrary to popular opinion, getting dressed does not need to be complicated — just take it from Pamela Anderson.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Pedroia’s Hall of Fame candidacy has always been complicated.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Although puzzled, Aisha answered honestly.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Like his wife, Moore was puzzled when their friend didn’t show up to eat dinner.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The usually positive Gauff went negative, lacked energy and seemed bewildered and overwhelmed.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Since his starring days at Gonzaga, Timme has earned bewildered double takes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During our first visit, Maryam, embarrassed by her English, refused to ask the salesperson a question.—
Jennifer Obel,
Denver Post,
12 Jan. 2026
-
We’re all supposed to be embarrassed by prizes or feel above them or apart from them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The show is Finding Her Edge, a new ice skating drama that should not be confused with Spinning Out, another Netflix ice skating drama that was cancelled after one season.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Judicial warrants should not be confused with administrative warrants, which are signed by immigration officers.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The former Miami Heat player gave his wife a kiss as their daughter, Kaavia, looked on with her trademark nonplussed expression.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perplexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexed. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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