as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
seeing her perplexity, the teacher stepped in with a helpful hint
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Recent Examples of perplexity
The Eagles’ 21-17 Sunday loss to the Denver Broncos contained the perplexity that has in the past provoked fans to picket outside the NovaCare Complex’s gates.
—
Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Watch with any attention, and one begins to see his tricks: the squinty perplexity, the restless hands, the worry lines deepened in concentration, then suddenly relaxed.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
This story is one of many that showcase the perplexities that encompass being a mother and a human raising other humans, which is not a small task.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 10 Apr. 2025
Doing so nine days since the transfer portal opened on March 24 only adds to the perplexity.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexity
Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Watch with any attention, and one begins to see his tricks: the squinty perplexity, the restless hands, the worry lines deepened in concentration, then suddenly relaxed.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
This story is one of many that showcase the perplexities that encompass being a mother and a human raising other humans, which is not a small task.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 10 Apr. 2025
Doing so nine days since the transfer portal opened on March 24 only adds to the perplexity.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexity
Noun
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Experts said the announcement is sparking confusion and uncertainty among many, including potentially thousands in Chicago.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
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The confusion isn’t limited to consumers.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
24 May 2026
Noun
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Bets tied to global conflicts have been the source of many recent disputes as traders try to see through the fog of war to figure out the specifics of what happened on the ground.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
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Their teams operate in a fog of mild uncertainty, constantly trying to interpret tone, timing and silence.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perplexity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexity. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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