perplexed

[per-plekst]

adjective

1. bewildered; puzzled.

   a perplexed state of mind.

2. complicated; involved; entangled.

Other Word Forms

• perplexedly adverb
• perplexedness noun
• self-perplexed adjective
• unperplexed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perplexed¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English perplex “confused,” from Latin perplexus ( per-, complex ) + -ed ²

Example Sentences

People who knew the family were perplexed at what went wrong.

From Los Angeles Times

Heitmann said she was “perplexed” by the delays and begged the agency for guidance.

From Salon

Despite his ability to pick out positive individual performances - which left pundits and punters perplexed - there was a hint that he knew things were slipping away.

From BBC

Muir was left perplexed by her failure to progress in the women's 1500m after she faded from contention in the closing stages.

From BBC

He told MPs that he was "perplexed that the first minister has not welcomed it", adding: "I would have expected the first minister to be holding a press conference to celebrate what we've done."

From BBC

Related Words

• bewildered 
• puzzled www.thesaurus.com
• uncertain