as in baffling
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1
as in complicating
to make complex or difficult
let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns
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2
as in puzzling
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the question perplexed me
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perplexing
Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The change is perplexing to health experts nationally and in Wisconsin, which ranks among the worst states for excessive drinking, and where alcohol contributes to more than 3,000 deaths each year.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
But as the fearsome storm unfolded, perplexing science questions emerged, said Joshua Wadler, an associate scientist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach who was aboard the flights on Kermit with Hazelton.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexing
Adjective
Hippocrates bases his explanation of epilepsy, that most perplexing of illnesses, on observation.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
The change is perplexing to health experts nationally and in Wisconsin, which ranks among the worst states for excessive drinking, and where alcohol contributes to more than 3,000 deaths each year.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Verb
Even more than the finished show, this eerie, perplexing multi-Gaga spectacle feels like a glimpse into her subconscious.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
But as the fearsome storm unfolded, perplexing science questions emerged, said Joshua Wadler, an associate scientist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach who was aboard the flights on Kermit with Hazelton.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexing
Adjective
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For virtually any other nominee this year, the choice would seem out of character, inevitably distracting, ultimately baffling.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Mar. 2026
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To Gilbert Arenas, the former NBA star and podcast host whose son Alijah is a freshman guard with the Trojans, the move was particularly baffling.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Relying on contractors, the union says, could create inconsistencies between airports if different companies operate checkpoints across the country, potentially complicating oversight of a system designed to maintain uniform national security standards.—
Rio Yamat,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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But the war in Iran is complicating that calculus, as inflation worries persist and leave policymakers to balance competing risks.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The instinct to head back to a war zone may seem puzzling, but the reality on the ground generally isn’t as dire as the headlines suggest.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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This puzzling behavior has long raised questions about how materials without a regular molecular structure can still remain mechanically stable.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Things got even more confusing when make-up artist Alexis Stone posted a picture of a prosthetic on Instagram alongside photos of Carrey at the awards show.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
5 Mar. 2026
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For people who deal with a parent with addiction issues, that can be really confusing and painful.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These are embarrassing own goals that Republicans simply can’t afford.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
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Fairchild played the free-wheeling bon vivant Nora Tyler Bing on five episodes of the sitcom classic, unwittingly embarrassing Perry's Chandler Bing to the delight of his pals.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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McNutt housed some 700 kids — about one-third of the population of French Lick — and Bird found the campus outside the dormitory walls bewildering.—
Keith O'Brien,
Rolling Stone,
22 Feb. 2026
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Even a principled, well-meaning actor like Claude could face bewildering ethical conflicts.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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The Eagles were a confounding defending champion throughout the regular season.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The numbers paint a muddled picture.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
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Above a muddled Southland college basketball landscape, a heartwarming, heart-stopping story has arisen.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perplexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexing. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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