PERPLEXING Synonyms: 174 Similar and Opposite Words

perplexing 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of perplexing

as in baffling

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

perplexing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of perplex

as in complicating

to make complex or difficult let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in puzzling

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty the question perplexed me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Some viewers at home, however, found the clue perplexing, noting that the clue could also be read as referring to the two most recent Best Song winners. — Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 June 2026 This is what makes recent criticism of Stein’s work with Civic Works so perplexing. — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2026

Verb

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 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 See All Example Sentences for perplexing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexing

Adjective

The currently airing Season 9, which received a nomination for its season premiere, hasn’t really seen a notable uptick in quality or in buzz, making its return to the Emmys stage a little baffling.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
Ancelotti made the baffling choice to sideline the Real Madrid player for a penalty kick in the first half.

— Doha Madani, NBC news, 5 July 2026

Definition of baffling

Verb

Officials said the debris was scattered across a wide area, with strong winds, rough seas and shifting ocean currents carrying floating wreckage away from the crash site, complicating efforts to locate the missing crew.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Radar tracked a sharp turn and rapid descent over waters nearly 9,800 feet deep, complicating recovery of the main wreckage.

— Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of complicating

Verb

Just after send time yesterday morning, the Timberwolves made a puzzling splash by trading for Hornets star LaMelo Ball.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 26 June 2026
And the performances from South Korea at the World Cup so far have been puzzling, given the talent at manager Hong Myung-bo’s disposal.

— Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Definition of puzzling

Adjective

That disconnect may be confusing to consumers and investors who assume the stock market and economy mirror one another, moving in lockstep.

— Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Actors play multiple roles, which can be confusing, but red or white roses sometimes worn by the characters help keep us on track.

— Marina Harss, New Yorker, 10 July 2026

Definition of confusing

Verb

Ukraine has carried out major drone strikes on Russia’s two largest cities, embarrassing the Kremlin with images of black plumes of smoke that circulated widely online, despite regulations restricting their publication.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
But in this case, the ejection was absolutely unnecessary and, frankly, embarrassing for Lentz.

— Levi Weaver, New York Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Verb

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
Similarly, the defensively bewildering 9-6 loss the Wild suffered to start Round 2 in Colorado set the tone for five games that would ultimately be their undoing.

— Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 3 June 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

Running on a seamless Fire TV operating platform, its Total HDR Solution natively balances complex Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, and HLG video feeds to remove muddled shadows (big win).

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026
Slayton agrees, noting that muddled mint or basil make particularly refreshing additions.

— Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026

Definition of muddled

Browse Nearby Words

perplexes

perplexing

perplexities

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Style

“Perplexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexing. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of perplexing

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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