perplex
verb (used with object)
to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is not understood or certain; confuse mentally.
has perplexed
-
present perfectof perplex (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The mind-body question that has perplexed philosophers for millennia has acquired added resonance in the digital era.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
I have struggled with my Catholic faith over the years, but nothing has perplexed me more than the idea of suffering.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2026
The December slump has perplexed investors, given that the final month of the year is historically one of the strongest in terms of stock performance, with an average gain of around 1.4%.
From Barron's ● Dec. 22, 2025
Researchers at theUniversity of Maryland and National Institutes of Health were curious to find an answer, as it’s a question that has perplexed scientists for nearly a century.
From Salon ● Jan. 4, 2024
The German races also established everywhere the feudal system, that curious institution, which has been the subject of so much discussion, and has perplexed the readers of history by its incongruities.
From Ten Great Religions An Essay in Comparative Theology by James Freeman Clarke
