Synonyms of perplexing

perplexing 1 of 2

adjective

as in baffling

Related Words

• baffling
• puzzling
• confusing
• confounding
• muddled
• frustrating
• bewildering
• disorganized
• confused
• unorganized
• disordered
• disjointed
• disconcerting
• disorderly
• incoherent
• inconsistent
• illogical
• unusual
• irrational
• unconnected
• bizarre
• disconnected
• strange
• eccentric
• unreasonable
• curious
• absurd
• choppy
• fallacious
• ridiculous
• outlandish
• foolish
• odd
• weird
• meaningless
• peculiar
• invalid
• nonsensical
• unsound
• inexplicable
• preposterous
• unconvincing
• outré
• screwy
• asinine
• silly
• nutty
• unexplainable
• unaccountable
• senseless

Dissimilar Words

• coherent
• systematic
• connected
• reasonable
• logical
• orderly
• valid
• solid
• rational
• sound
• sensible
• compelling
• organized
• plausible
• convincing
• ordered
• persuasive
• satisfying
• clear
• systematized
• unmistakable
• unequivocal
• unambiguous
• transparent
• cogent
• lucid
• clear-cut
• perspicuous

perplexing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of perplex

1

as in complicating

to make complex or difficult

let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns

Synonyms & Similar Words

• complicating
• embarrassing
• confusing
• intensifying
• complexing
• complexifying
• entangling
• sophisticating
• elaborating
• expanding
• confounding
• developing
• muddling
• mixing (up)
• snarling
• magnifying
• tangling
• messing (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• simplifying
• streamlining
• cutting
• shortening
• facilitating
• easing
• unraveling
• straightening (out)
• abbreviating
• untangling
• disentangling
• oversimplifying

2

as in puzzling

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty

the question perplexed me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• baffling
• puzzling
• bewildering
• confusing
• mystifying
• befuddling
• vexing
• embarrassing
• confounding
• bemusing
• disturbing
• stunning
• disorienting
• flummoxing
• discombobulating
• rattling
• posing
• muddling
• upsetting
• bothering
• bamboozling
• flustering
• fuddling
• unsettling
• muddying
• addling
• mazing
• befogging
• graveling
• getting
• disconcerting
• beating
• foxing
• distressing
• buffaloing
• blowing one's mind
• discomfiting
• disquieting
• mortifying
• dismaying
• discomforting
• stumping
• going to one's head
• sticking
• perturbing
• misleading
• agitating
• abashing
• deceiving
• discountenancing
• fazing
• beguiling
• nonplussing
• unhinging
• weirding out
• discomposing
• misguiding
• deluding
• humbugging
• tricking
• fooling
• hoaxing
• gulling
• duping
• chagrining
• snowing
• hoodwinking
• taking in
• cozening
• stringing along

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfying
• assuring
• reassuring
• informing
• enlightening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of perplexing

Adjective

For some perplexing reason, Gia has decided to die on the hill that Ava is lying, despite having no way to prove that and despite the fact that Ava has no reason to lie. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 July 2026

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

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