perplexed
Americanadjective
-
bewildered; puzzled.
a perplexed state of mind.
-
complicated; involved; entangled.
Other Word Forms
- perplexedly adverb
- perplexedness noun
- self-perplexed adjective
- unperplexed adjective
Etymology
Origin of perplexed
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English perplex “confused,” from Latin perplexus ( per-, complex ) + -ed 2
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.
The 27-year-old Kelly was furious with the 49th-minute decision, booting a wall in the tunnel on his exit, while manager Luciano Spalletti wore a perplexed look on the sidelines.
From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026
The growing numbers of younger people being diagnosed with bowel cancer has left doctors worldwide perplexed.
From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026
When she and her family inevitably left town and didn’t stumble upon Charlie Brown and his motley crew, she was perplexed.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025
There are anomalies in the labor market, which are leaving people like your son feeling perplexed.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 15, 2025
At least he wasn’t alone; a few other young pilots showed up too, equally perplexed.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
