DEFINITIONS

perplex

[ per-pleks ]
/ pərˈplɛks /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR perplex 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.

Content related to perplex

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Words related to perplex

mystify, confound, complicate, dumbfound, bewilder, perturb, befuddle, puzzle, astound, baffle, encumber, astonish, surprise, nonplus, entangle, muck, discompose, stump, discombobulate, rattle

Words nearby perplex

perpetual-motion machine, perpetuate, perpetuity, perphenazine, perpignan, perplex, perplexed, perplexity, perquisite, perrault, perret

Origin of perplex

First recorded in 1585–95; back formation from perplexed

OTHER WORDS FROM perplex

per·plex·er, nounper·plex·ing·ly, adverbun·per·plex·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for perplex

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