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
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
To some extent, minds have already been a bit blown — or at least perplexed — by real-world events.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
These are the brutally real snapshots of a man well acquainted with—but still perplexed by—the powerful and destructive forces that lord over our lives.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Adjective
Reporters at the press conference, perplexed, asked Trump about the gap.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
To some extent, minds have already been a bit blown — or at least perplexed — by real-world events.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
Their presence prompted nervousness among beachgoers and surfers sharing the water, but marveled researchers who were perplexed by the abnormally longer stay close to shore.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
These are the brutally real snapshots of a man well acquainted with—but still perplexed by—the powerful and destructive forces that lord over our lives.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexed
Adjective
-
One outcome — perhaps, a five-point plan While Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and others are actively pursuing diplomacy, Iran and Israel are not interested, and the United States appears baffled and unsteady.—
Daniel Kurtzer,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
One of the best examples of that is phantom limb pain, which for a long time baffled people.—
Margaret Cirino,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The relationship between Dallas police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement has long been complicated, drawing criticism from both state leaders and community advocates.—
Robbie Owens,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Gumbs’ senior year at Simeon was complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His award recognizes his contributions to settle several questions in differential geometry that had puzzled mathematicians since the 1970s and 1980s.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The diminutive scale of Giacometti’s proposal—a nondescript bust atop a small square base—puzzled his colleagues.—
Ara H. Merjian,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Connie is bewildered but happy about this.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This sometimes left audience members bewildered about what had actually happened.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The transparency issue also became important after the board embarrassed itself by quietly boosting board members’ pay by 25% — with Foley being the only member opposed.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
-
And, as if embarrassed by the whole business, the show will do something crazy to blast the tear from your eye.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Rockets were confused, Durant being a late scratch and their attack being lost without him, Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson combining for 38 shots and a bunch of misses.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Several residents say they were left scared and confused as strong winds and heavy rain moved through the area.—
Hannah McIlree,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Members of the Senate Intelligence Committee were also nonplussed, and angry, when Gabbard appeared before them last month.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
-
See: a hilarious bit in this new season during which Kudrow’s Valerie brings her social media curator to a WGA strike and becomes nonplussed when a picketer’s sign blocks her best angle.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perplexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexed. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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