perplex

[ per-pleks ]

/ pərˈplɛks /

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See synonyms for: perplex / perplexed / perplexing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is not understood or certain; confuse mentally: Her strange response perplexed me.

to make complicated or confused, as a matter or question.

to hamper with complications, confusion, or uncertainty.

OTHER WORDS FOR perplex

1 mystify, confound.

2 tangle, snarl.

3 vex, annoy, bother.

See synonyms for perplex on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

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Origin of perplex

First recorded in 1585–95; back formation from perplexed

OTHER WORDS FROM perplex

per·plex·er, noun

Words nearby perplex

perpetuated, perpetuation, perpetuity, perphenazine, Perpignan, perplex, perplexed, perplexing, perplexity, per pro., per procurationem

How to use perplex in a sentence

She perplexed record labels that weren’t sure what category to put her in.
Twenty-five years after her death, Eva Cassidy’s music is as timeless as ever|John Kelly|January 26, 2021|Washington Post
I heard nothing, and I am somewhat hurt and perplexed by this.
Miss Manners: Former colleague’s omission is puzzling|Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin|January 22, 2021|Washington Post
However, cases are still surging across the country, a new variant continues to perplex researchers, and vaccines are rolling out at a slower than optimal pace.
The world may be at risk of a new COVID-19 surge|Claire Maldarelli|January 4, 2021|Popular-Science
Even people who have arrived at the Vatican wearing masks remove them when meeting with the pontiff, in a practice that has perplexed outsiders and caused concern among some Vatican officials.
Pope Francis hosts NBA players after season defined by social justice activism|Chico Harlan|November 23, 2020|Washington Post

It perplexes me that some of the questions I have most often been asked about dogs, and that I have about my own dog, are not addressed by research.
Forget Everything You Know About Your Dog (Ep. 436)|Stephen J. Dubner|October 22, 2020|Freakonomics
Two-thirds of my life are already gone; why, then, should I perplex myself so much about the remainder?
The 'Characters' of Jean de La Bruyre|Jean de La Bruyre
"I don't want to perplex you, but I have done something," said Nick, getting up.
The Tragic Muse|Henry James
I should have lived only to worry and perplex him, and something in me tells me this is right.'
Mrs. Skaggs's Husbands and Other Stories|Bret Harte
The first questions must never perplex or embarrass the pupil, for they are very important.
The Sabbath-School Index|Richard Gay Pardee
But a trouble weigh'd upon her,And perplex'd her, night and morn, With the burden of an honorUnto which she was not born.
The Ontario Readers: The High School Reader, 1886|Ministry of Education

British Dictionary definitions for perplex

perplex

/ (pəˈplɛks) /

verb (tr)

to puzzle; bewilder; confuse

to complicateto perplex an issue

Word Origin for perplex

C15: from obsolete perplex (adj) intricate, from Latin perplexus entangled, from per- (thoroughly) + plectere to entwine

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

perplex

OTHER WORDS FOR perplex

Origin of perplex

OTHER WORDS FROM perplex

Words nearby perplex

Words related to perplex

How to use perplex in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for perplex

Word Origin for perplex