perplexing
adjective
per·plex·ing
pər-ˈplek-siŋ 
: difficult to understand : causing confusion
A perplexing feature of insomnia is that people seem to overestimate their sleep loss.—
Rita L. Atkinson et al.
Rita L. Atkinson et al.Chronic acalculous biliary disorders are among the most perplexing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in medicine.—Richard M. Gore
Richard M. GoreA perplexing problem, often encountered by cat owners, is that of a refusal to use the litterbox after using it for years in the past.—Susan L. Mathews
Susan L. Mathews
perplexingly
adverb
a perplexingly complex problem
This was all that I could observe of her in the dim light and under the perplexingly strange circumstances of our meeting.
—Wilkie Collins
Wilkie Collins
Examples of perplexing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
This is what makes recent criticism of Stein’s work with Civic Works so perplexing.
—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
25 June 2026
The sentencing capped an extraordinary investigation that solved one of New York’s most perplexing mysteries.
—
Philip Marcelo,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for perplexing
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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
This is what makes recent criticism of Stein’s work with Civic Works so perplexing.
—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
25 June 2026
The sentencing capped an extraordinary investigation that solved one of New York’s most perplexing mysteries.
—
Philip Marcelo,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for perplexing
Cite this Entry
“Perplexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perplexing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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