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
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
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Recent Examples of perplexing
Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
On its face, this behavior is perplexing, presumptuous even.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Tutu Atwell’s role is perplexing Every fan base has some trademark bits.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexing
Adjective
Over the next three years, Lia would develop a perplexing, debilitating, and persistent set of symptoms.
—Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
On its face, this behavior is perplexing, presumptuous even.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Tutu Atwell’s role is perplexing Every fan base has some trademark bits.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexing
Adjective
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The fact no one has picked up this exceptional docu from director David Kittredge is baffling, leading me to think somehow it is cursed, much the same way the original Exorcist was thought to be while in production.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
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There are several baffling visual motifs, like Jonah’s insistence on wearing the tightest possible shirt in which to teach high-school English or Miller’s ever-flexing jaw muscle.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In affected areas, forecasters report visibility frequently reduced to a quarter mile or less, complicating travel along key highways, interstates, and rural routes.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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The heat and humidity are complicating recovery efforts.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Further study is also needed to untangle one puzzling finding.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Some of the airports that do appear on the list are also puzzling — perhaps none more so than Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Outside of safety concerns, a toy intended for an older child can be frustrating and confusing to younger children.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
6 Nov. 2025
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Without that administrative approval, Medicare patients — and their doctors — have been left in a very complicated and confusing limbo.—
Yuki Noguchi,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Still, the former University of Miami standout did not want to be dealt, even publicly stating that just hours after the Dolphins’ embarrassing 28-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
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For French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, the heist spotlights embarrassing security failings at one of France’s most venerable institutions.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And aren’t our real-life romantic complications bewildering enough?—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
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Its ginormous investments in higher-value, tech-heavy sectors from smartphones to autos to semiconductors to biotechnology are disrupting the global landscape at bewildering speed.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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What is the most confounding and terrible, however, is Gretchen’s assertion that Slade, the anti-Viagra, doesn’t get involved with the women on his own accord, but only engages because the women always talk about him.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
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The offense’s struggles are the most confounding.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The second episode is heavy on introductions and reveals without a clear anchor, and that makes for a muddled hour, despite some real bright spots.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
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But in 2022, Maserati reminded us that there’s another Italian car company, with a rich 108-year history and a respected name, but one that has been tarnished by missteps and muddled strategies in recent years.—
Lawrence Ulrich,
Robb Report,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perplexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexing. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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