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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of perplexed
Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
The trade stunned the sport, perplexed rival executives and devastated Bostonians.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 18 June 2025
But 100 days into the second Trump administration, those leaders are perplexed and concerned.
—Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025
Unlike last week — or most others this season, come to think of it — no one totally nails it, nor really expects to (… except for Massimo, who’s clearly perplexed when his mussel-and-clam pie ends up in the safe middle).
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Adjective
The scientific community, equally perplexed, largely ignored the paper for more than a decade.
—Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
The trade stunned the sport, perplexed rival executives and devastated Bostonians.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 18 June 2025
But 100 days into the second Trump administration, those leaders are perplexed and concerned.
—Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025
Unlike last week — or most others this season, come to think of it — no one totally nails it, nor really expects to (… except for Massimo, who’s clearly perplexed when his mussel-and-clam pie ends up in the safe middle).
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexed
Adjective
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And finally, a baffled daughter-in-law shared that her mother-in-law took it upon herself to write directly on their back door—with a green pen.—
Cameron Schoppa
Alex Backus,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
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But its favorite mood, by far, is one of mild titillation, which arises whenever something slightly out of the ordinary occurs—a ball flies into the crowd, a baffled bird pecks at the service line, a champagne cork enters the field of play—and a burr of chatter rips round the court.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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This run – and the exhausted, bewildered looks on the players’ faces throughout it – has no doubt shaped Inter’s odds to win away to Barcelona, which look pretty close to long shot territory.—
Sam Tighe,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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In the two years since Tommy Elliott was killed in a mass shooting, Maryanne’s grief has, in turns, left her aghast and overwhelmed, bewildered and incapacitated, grateful and wanting to die.—
Kristina Goetz,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Many people get confused by these forms which contain code and jargon that rarely offer a clear explanation of anything.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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Not to be confused with DEI training, skill building is a way to help people improve their communication skills, negotiation style and overall understanding of relevant topics, all while leveling up professionally.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes,
21 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Perplexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexed. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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