PERPLEX Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'perplex' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of perplex are bewilder , confound , distract , dumbfound , nonplus , and puzzle . While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision. // a behavior that perplexed her friends

Q: In what contexts can 'bewilder' take the place of 'perplex'?

The words bewilder and perplex can be used in similar contexts, but bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking. // a bewildering number of possibilities

Q: When can 'confound' be used instead of 'perplex'?

The synonyms confound and perplex are sometimes interchangeable, but confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement. // the tragic news confounded us all

Q: When is 'distract' a more appropriate choice than 'perplex'?

The meanings of distract and perplex largely overlap; however, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests. // distracted by personal problems

Q: When would 'dumbfound' be a good substitute for 'perplex'?

While the synonyms dumbfound and perplex are close in meaning, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound . // was at first too dumbfounded to reply

Q: When is it sensible to use 'nonplus' instead of 'perplex'?

The words nonplus and perplex are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible. // the remark left us utterly nonplussed

Q: Where would 'puzzle' be a reasonable alternative to 'perplex'?

Although the words puzzle and perplex have much in common, puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve. // the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

perplex

verb

pər-ˈpleks

Definition of perplex next

as in to complicate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to bewilder

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb perplex differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of perplex are bewilder, confound, distract, dumbfound, nonplus, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

In what contexts can bewilder take the place of perplex?

The words bewilder and perplex can be used in similar contexts, but bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

When can confound be used instead of perplex?

The synonyms confound and perplex are sometimes interchangeable, but confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When is distract a more appropriate choice than perplex?

The meanings of distract and perplex largely overlap; however, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When would dumbfound be a good substitute for perplex?

While the synonyms dumbfound and perplex are close in meaning, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

When is it sensible to use nonplus instead of perplex?

The words nonplus and perplex are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

Where would puzzle be a reasonable alternative to perplex?

Although the words puzzle and perplex have much in common, puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

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 perplex But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now. —

Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026 Anyone who abandoned this art would be at risk of experiencing even their own culture as a stranger would, perplexed by the symbols and signs swirling about them. —

Jason Blakely, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 The play certainly perplexed NFL fans. —

Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Dec. 2025 All voiceover in the film is detached from the images, from a mixture of unidentified community folk who are content to speak anonymously, and neighboring outsiders perplexed by these out-of-time pacifists. —

Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perplex

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplex

Verb

At 5,300 years old, any of those explanations complicates the conventional picture of how sophisticated Predynastic Egyptian material science actually was.

— Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Her recovery was complicated by the routine obstacles that govern all aspects of life at Dilley.

— Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026

Definition of complicate

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perpetuity

perplex

perplexed

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“Perplex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplex. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of perplex

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