perplex

[per-pleks]

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is not understood or certain; confuse mentally.

   Her strange response perplexed me.

   Synonyms: confound, mystify

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

   Synonyms: snarl, tangle

3. to hamper with complications, confusion, or uncertainty.

   Synonyms: bother, annoy, vex

perplex

/ pəˈplɛks /

verb

1. to puzzle; bewilder; confuse

2. to complicate

   to perplex an issue

Other Word Forms

• perplexer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of perplex¹

First recorded in 1585–95; back formation from perplexed

Word History and Origins

Origin of perplex¹

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

Example Sentences

At least he wasn’t alone; a few other young pilots showed up too, equally perplexed.

Read more on Literature

Their new relievers imploded, plagued by a string of injuries and perplexing underperformance that rendered the heralded trio all but irrelevant.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When Anna was planning her first visit to Xinjiang in 2015, her friends were perplexed.

Read more on BBC

He stumbled for a moment, a bit perplexed, before turning to his friends for help.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"We're always kind of perplexed where our money goes," he said.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• astonish 
• astound 
• baffle 
• befuddle 
• bewilder 
• complicate 
• confound 
• dumbfound 
• encumber 
• mystify 
• nonplus 
• perturb 
• puzzle 
• surprise