as in baffled
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do
the convoluted instructions for calibrating a high-definition television will leave many consumers utterly perplexed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in complicated
to make complex or difficult
let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in puzzled
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the question perplexed me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perplexed
Jacob Orledge, ProPublica, 4 Aug. 2025
Cuvala describes herself as feeling perplexed by the recent direction of the board.
—ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2025
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Brewers owner Bud Selig, who would later become MLB commissioner, was perplexed at how a team could win 13 straight in April and then lose 12 straight in May.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Adjective
That’s why families like the Skarphols say they were perplexed when the deductions began.
—Jacob Orledge, ProPublica, 4 Aug. 2025
Cuvala describes herself as feeling perplexed by the recent direction of the board.
—ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
Norman is perplexed by shootings like this.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Brewers owner Bud Selig, who would later become MLB commissioner, was perplexed at how a team could win 13 straight in April and then lose 12 straight in May.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexed
Adjective
-
The clear stance that the club has spent every available penny of their PSR allowance left many baffled, but the club’s accounts over the coming years will reveal all.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
And my parents are even baffled.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
For Donohue, a one-on-one discussion with Hunt and a later meeting with his constituents further complicated his decision.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Defining a tip in the digital creative space could be complicated, said Alex Muresianu, a senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Finally, the object had an unusual shape that puzzled astronomers.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
This mystery puzzled scientists because ice was not supposed to behave like that.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Everybody seems bewildered by this news, his own wife most of all.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Layered in cream, bruised, bewildered, bald.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
After the Detroit Tigers embarrassed them in two games, outscoring them 23-3 earlier this week, the Yankees have won the first two games of their series against the Boston Red Sox.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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We wouldn’t be embarrassed by it, nor would the audience.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At one point, O’Steen was confused by a question, and the resulting back-and-forth was reminiscent of an Abbott and Costello repartee.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
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It should not be confused with Article 5, the cornerstone of the alliance, which states an armed attack on one NATO ally will be considered an act of violence against all members and prompt assistance to the member concerned.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perplexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexed. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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