perplexing 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of perplexingnext
as in baffling

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perplexing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of perplex
1
as in complicating
to make complex or difficult let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in puzzling
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty the question perplexed me

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of perplexing
Adjective
The second surprising ingredient was the most perplexing to me. — Josh Miller, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026 Despite a relatively long history of drive-through bans, the idea is still novel and perplexing to Californians who love their burgers and love their cars. — Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
Verb
That’s perplexing to Alvarez and Oakley, given that Cal State tuition is still relatively low, despite recent annual tuition hikes. — Cal Matters, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026 The disjunction between the abstract composition and the notion of self-portraiture appeared perplexing in its own right; its inoperability only exacerbated the viewer’s frustration and redoubled the artist’s impish provocation. — Ara H. Merjian, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perplexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexing
  1. baffling
  2. complicating
  3. puzzling
  4. confusing
  5. embarrassing
  6. bewildering
  7. confounding
  8. muddled
Adjective
  • The episode submissions this year are a little baffling, often not reflecting the series’ best work.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Lee kept at him, and along the way, began to find Lifeson’s interview comments increasingly baffling.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of baffling
Verb
  • The Bundibugyo virus causing the current outbreak in Congo is less common than others that cause Ebola disease, which is complicating the response, because there are no specific treatments or vaccines.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • There are nine newcomers this season and six of last season’s top 12 finishers have new managers in charge, complicating the challenges that lie ahead.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of complicating
Verb
  • In practice, puzzling choices by curators Klaus Biesenbach and Maike Steinkamp rendered the experiment fraught in places.
    — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The encyclical’s critique of military AI is similarly puzzling.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of puzzling
Adjective
  • If Manchester City appear confusing, then what to make of the puzzling turn of events at St James’ Park?
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Grown-ups can find Italian brainrot confusing, but kids love the Dadaist characters.
    — Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of confusing
Verb
  • College students should not have to worry about their parents embarrassing them to an audience of thousands.
    — Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Many of the voters of the other political parties have been lending him their support, partly in the hope of embarrassing Farage.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrassing
Verb
  • The threats are constantly evolving, layering upon themselves with bewildering speed.
    — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • But these casting decisions are bewildering, to say the least, and will certainly cost the film ticket sales and potential revenue.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of bewildering
Adjective
  • Grief is one of the most confounding aspects of the human experience.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
  • In 2021, one year into D’Amaro’s tenure and following COVID shutdowns, Disney did away with FastPass and introduced a confounding and very costly series of pay-to-skip passes, which require timing advanced booking of limited slots in these formerly free-to-enter shorter lines.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of confounding
Adjective
  • Despite being trained on the glorious quirks of humankind’s creative canon, the models push our ersatz artistic output into a bland, muddled middle ground.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And while the Fed hasn't budged under Warsh, the market's view about the long end has gotten a lot more muddled lately.
    — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of muddled

Browse Nearby Words

perplexes
perplexing
perplexities
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Cite this Entry

“Perplexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexing. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of perplexing for Spanish Speakers

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