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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perplexing
Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
In a whirlwind year for the organization, his slump was one of the more perplexing developments.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 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
The sheriff’s office was called, and initially the deaths were deemed suspicious, though the situation seemed more perplexing than criminal.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
In a whirlwind year for the organization, his slump was one of the more perplexing developments.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 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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In fact, looking at the film as an adult can feel a tad baffling, watching teens sweat and cry and emote over what feel like non-issues.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
24 Jan. 2026
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Tian's team explored several possible explanations for this baffling isotopic composition.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Main roadways have improved, but City of Memphis Public Works Director Scott Morgan on Tuesday said the sleet that had frozen on top of the snow was complicating plowing efforts.—
Jack Armstrong,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
28 Jan. 2026
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She was also criticized for encouraging violence against Black Africans who supported the Apartheid regime, complicating her legacy.—
Jeremy Helligar,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This Upper Paleolithic burial even became famous, though puzzling to researchers, because the unusual skeletal remains were even disfigured.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
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But in recent years, Betelgeuse has thrown astronomers a few puzzling curveballs that have required serious detective work to solve.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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As an avalanche and dead bodies ratchet up the suspense, Zach must lean on his mother’s wisdom to fight for his life while deciphering a confusing undercurrent of danger, violence and betrayal among the survivors.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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Yeah, this is pretty confusing on the surface.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Recently, Ryan spoke about the Beckham situation, the process of writing material as a mother without embarrassing her kids and her new goal of returning to the career trajectory of her pre-pregnant self in the near future.—
Deputy Entertainment,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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Some mushroom bills backfired when their true impacts became known, embarrassing legislators who voted for them, and forcing them to backtrack.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
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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The Eagles were a confounding defending champion throughout the regular season.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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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
Adjective
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True coffee enthusiasts know that a good coffee grinder plays a huge role in the extraction process and preventing a muddled flavor.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
24 Jan. 2026
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Tonight, Bluebland’s glasses reflect a muddled crowd.—
Joe Sills,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perplexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexing. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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