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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of perplexed
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
Billie looks perplexed, but clearly Joe is working on Irene somehow, as Irene is hanging on his every word.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Their presence prompted nervousness among beachgoers and surfers sharing the water, but marveled researchers who were perplexed by the abnormally longer stay close to shore.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Adjective
Levy masters one hilarious perplexed comedic reaction after another as Nicky, a closeted pastor with a zany, highly dysfunctional family.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
Billie looks perplexed, but clearly Joe is working on Irene somehow, as Irene is hanging on his every word.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Fifty Shades of Grey actress was perplexed.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Their presence prompted nervousness among beachgoers and surfers sharing the water, but marveled researchers who were perplexed by the abnormally longer stay close to shore.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexed
Adjective
-
For 166 years, documents found with this sailor’s remains baffled researchers — until genetics provided an answer.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
Glaser, no doubt like many viewers, seemed a little baffled when the Swift songs dried up, and Idol had to pad out the rest of the episode with songs themed around California.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And this year, the US-Israeli war with Iran further complicated the Fed’s efforts to assess the economy.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
-
The situation has been complicated by international tensions amid the Iran war.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Three cases were reported earlier this week, long after the typical growing season for the mushrooms behind the illnesses, leaving public health officials and mycologists puzzled about why the poisonings have been so widespread and what is causing the trend.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
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But China has spent more than a year building strategic stockpiles, a move that puzzled many observers at the time and has now paid off.—
Amena Bakr,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Everyone was so relieved to see how bewildered everyone else was that the feeling in this place was almost festive.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Numerous cryptocurrency novices become bewildered by intricate decals and fluctuating percentages.—
Malana VanTyler,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Sixers were embarrassed by the Knicks 144-114 in Game 4 in front of a New York-heavy crowd in South Philadelphia.—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
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That this series has flipped on its head seemed almost impossible last Sunday, when the Celtics embarrassed Philadelphia in a Game 4 win on the Sixers’ home floor.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The company is not to be confused with the music-publishing company of the same name, founded in 2017, the assets of which were recently acquired by Sony Music.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
18 May 2026
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Cassidy also complained that a new primary system enacted last year confused voters by requiring them to ask for a partisan ballot instead of the all-party primary previously in place.—
Thomas Beaumont,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Many consumers remain confused and somewhat nonplussed with the brand.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
Not that everyone seems nonplussed.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perplexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexed. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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