perplexed

[ per-plekst ]
/ pərˈplɛkst /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR perplexed ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

bewildered; puzzled: a perplexed state of mind.
complicated; involved; entangled.

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Origin of perplexed

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

OTHER WORDS FROM perplexed

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

Words nearby perplexed

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

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

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. 2020

Words related to perplexed

bewildered, uncertain, puzzled, troubled, complicated, confusing, bewildering, complex, difficult, intricate

Example sentences from the Web for perplexed

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