Synonyms

perplex

American

[per-pleks] / pərˈplɛks /

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.

Synonyms:

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

Synonyms:

snarl, tangle
to hamper with complications, confusion, or uncertainty.

Synonyms:

bother, annoy, vex

perplex British

/ pəˈplɛks /

verb

to puzzle; bewilder; confuse
to complicate

to perplex an issue

"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

Other Word Forms

perplexer noun

Etymology

Origin of perplex

First recorded in 1585–95; back formation from perplexed

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.

I was perplexed that Rabbi Levine’s excellent piece left out a critical element: The story’s climax isn’t only the execution of Haman and his family of henchmen.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The Bride!” is surprising and strange, perplexing and aggravating.

From Salon

Ultimately, “In the Days of My Youth” confronts readers with a perplexing question: Can someone be a good father but a bad man?

From The Wall Street Journal

All the while, the former secretary of state looks on perplexed.

From BBC

Some works are paradigmatic, some rather generic; the inclusion of others is perplexing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023