1
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
2
as in to bewilder
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 perplex
Some locals have been hostile to the project, unhappy with the prospect of nuclear waste being stored nearby and perplexed at how easily, in their opinion, Posiva Oy was able to get permits for the repository.
—
Marta Abbà, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
Through the years, dozens of actresses have portrayed Superman's love interest and confidante Lois Lane, an award-winning reporter both perplexed and entranced by the man also (secretly) known as Clark Kent.
—Grace Gavilanes, People.com, 11 July 2025
The aftermath What perplexes her, Nicole Fech said, is that Anderson went out of her way to call the camp a year and a half after the family left the church.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
The astronomers are perplexed as to how these particles would escape such a powerful black hole to create these clusters.
—Nick Butler, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplex
Marta Abbà, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
Through the years, dozens of actresses have portrayed Superman's love interest and confidante Lois Lane, an award-winning reporter both perplexed and entranced by the man also (secretly) known as Clark Kent.
—Grace Gavilanes, People.com, 11 July 2025
The aftermath What perplexes her, Nicole Fech said, is that Anderson went out of her way to call the camp a year and a half after the family left the church.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
The astronomers are perplexed as to how these particles would escape such a powerful black hole to create these clusters.
—Nick Butler, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplex
Verb
-
Projections of up to 97 days of nuisance high-tide flooding a year by 2050 will complicate this.—
Jeremy Sabol,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 July 2025
-
Politicians often trap themselves in narratives during campaigns that go on to complicate their efforts to govern.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
17 July 2025
Verb
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Still, my friends and I, specifically those who were teen-agers or older at the time of 9/11, have been bewildered by the Islamophobia of the moment, which feels especially vintage and plainspoken, not massaged into obfuscatory rhetoric or angling for any greater point.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
13 July 2025
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In the moment, Kyle looked bewildered that the musician had singled him out, smiling with his mouth open in shock.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Money terms and concepts continue to baffle people, many of whom are seeking answers through online searches.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Manager Luis Enrique's side then embarrassed Inter Miami 4-0 in the round of 16 and survived two late red cards vs. Bayern Munich to win that quarterfinal battle 2-0. PSG vs. Real Madrid Injury, Suspension, Lineup News: Both teams will be missing key pieces along their back lines today.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
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The Nuggets, like the current Rockies, were embarrassing themselves regularly before posting an 11-71 record.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Baun’s ability to play on the line of scrimmage allowed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to shift the front with Baun moving from off-ball to edge or vice versa right before the snap, confusing the blocking assignments for the offense.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
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The snake is also easily confused with the Brahminy blind snake, also known as the flowerpot snake, an invasive species in Barbados, according to Re:wild.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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One especially puzzling discovery is shown in a narrow closet.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
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Another puzzling question was what to do with the long, narrow goat stable.—
Aileen Weintraub,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perplex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplex. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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