as in baffling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
The situation only becomes more perplexing when Caleb realizes that no one in his life ever remembers him being married.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
The Dodgers’ offense is more talented than the last 10 days have indicated, which makes this stretch all the more perplexing.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Their silence is a bit perplexing, given that many of them claim to be focused on current events and trending topics.
—Christian Paz, Vox, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexing
Adjective
The continuing embracing of players either coming off major injuries - or with a history of maladies - remains among the most perplexing proclivities of this regime.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
The situation only becomes more perplexing when Caleb realizes that no one in his life ever remembers him being married.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
The Dodgers’ offense is more talented than the last 10 days have indicated, which makes this stretch all the more perplexing.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Their silence is a bit perplexing, given that many of them claim to be focused on current events and trending topics.
—Christian Paz, Vox, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexing
Adjective
-
Trader Joe’s is one of the greatest success stories in American grocery stores—the stuff of business-school case studies and rapturous (and, honestly, sometimes baffling) consumer behavior.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Though there were some baffling mistakes leading to quality Kings’ chances, especially in Los Angeles, the goalies haven’t exactly been up to the task either.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Researchers are particularly focused on unraveling the puzzling interplay between gas content, magma pressure and lava flow dynamics.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Almost two years into his ordeal, Gould learned of an initiative at the National Institutes of Health that focuses on solving the country’s most puzzling medical cases.—
Jason Liebowitz,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson spoke about the frustrating Game 2 loss, revealing a big regret that led to the defeat.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
-
Technical glitches and changing rules are frustrating borrowers trying to plan.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Some of them are earnestly engaged in helping parents navigate a bewildering time of life.—
Hillary Kelly,
The Atlantic,
5 May 2025
-
Ireland is not our enemy, even if our president abuses it with his bewildering animus to free nations.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Gilroy’s dark wit has been used sparingly in Andor, but the sniping in between the disorganized sorta-rebels is a comic highlight.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2025
-
As defined by the National Institute of Medicine, postpartum psychosis is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, agitation and unusual behavior within the first four weeks postpartum.—
Kaitlyn May,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The two ‘deals’ have left tariff policy more confused than ever, argues columnist Michael Hiltzik.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2025
-
Pew found 55% of Republicans are confused about the information out there on climate change--but this was also true for 39% of Democrats.—
Robert G. Eccles,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Opponents were caught unorganized and unprepared for a stunning initial torrent of actions, firings of workers, cancellations of programs and abolition of organizations established by Congress over many decades.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2025
-
The role may not sound as glamorous as engineering or client acquisition, but without project managers--the glue that holds everything together--businesses would be completely unorganized, lose profits, and fall way behind customer expectations.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Consequently, disordered labor disputes have added to the sense of lawlessness and have worsened the economic decline.—
Lindsay Benstead,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Feb. 2013
-
In the past, Jamil has openly discussed her own journey recovering from anorexia and disordered eating.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
27 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Perplexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexing. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share