perplexed

[ per-plekst ]

/ pərˈplɛkst /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR perplexed ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

bewildered; puzzled: a perplexed state of mind.

complicated; involved; entangled.

Nearby words

perpetuate, perpetuity, perphenazine, perpignan, perplex, perplexed, perplexity, perquisite, perrault, perret, perrier water

Origin of perplexed

1350–1400; Middle English perplex confused (< Latin perplexus; see per-, complex) + -ed²

Related forms

per·plex·ed·ly

[per-plek-sid-lee] /pərˈplɛk sɪd li/, adverbper·plex·ed·ness, nounself-per·plexed, adjectiveun·per·plexed, adjective

Definition for perplexed (2 of 2)

perplex

[ 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.

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

to hamper with complications, confusion, or uncertainty.

Origin of perplex

First recorded in 1585–95; back formation from perplexed

SYNONYMS FOR perplex

1 mystify, confound.

2 tangle, snarl.

3 vex, annoy, bother.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR perplex ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

per·plex·er, nounper·plex·ing·ly, adverbun·per·plex·ing, adjective

Examples from the Web for perplexed

In fact, a number of officers were perplexed that religious freedom was considered to be a serious issue within the service.
U.S. Air Force: Swear to God—or Get Out|Dave Majumdar|September 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A young Martin, perplexed by this, asked his parents for an explanation.
Bigotry Is Back, 60 Years After Brown v. Board of Education|Dean Obeidallah|May 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But little has perplexed me in recent years quite so much as the supposed miracle that is Soylent.
Doc Says No to Soylent|Russell Saunders|May 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But after the fifth consecutive call—the vibration interrupting my conversation with perplexed hosts—I politely stepped away.
On the Hunt for Treviño Morales, Zetas Leader|Alfredo Corchado|August 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The New York Times also quoted Diana Buttu, an Arab-Israeli lawyer who said she was perplexed that Kerry sounded so upbeat.
Why Cautious Optimism is the Right Approach to Kerry's Efforts|Alan Elsner|July 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I was too surprised, too perplexed, too—well, afraid of hurting her.
The Confession|Mary Roberts Rinehart
Northrup was perplexed by the growing intelligence in the face across the table.
At the Crossroads|Harriet T. Comstock
The only circumstance that perplexed them, was their not arriving at the bottom of the stairs.
Vathek|William Beckford
Ronald's face softened, but the perplexed frown on his face was still there.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
Doctor Nicholas Wiseman had never been so perplexed in his life.
Sharing Her Crime|May Agnes Fleming

British Dictionary definitions for perplexed

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