perplexed

American

[per-plekst] / pərˈplɛkst /

adjective

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 ( see per-, complex) + -ed ²

Explanation

Use the adjective perplexed to describe someone who is utterly baffled or confused. If you've ever studied for the wrong test and been surprised and confused by the exam in front of you, you've been perplexed. There's a particular bewildered kind of facial expression that goes along with the word perplexed. It's the kind of emotion that's hard to disguise. The Latin root perplexus means "confused or entangled," and "entangled" is a great way to imagine the tangled thoughts and confusion of someone who's perplexed.

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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 perplexed faces of the agency people in those conference rooms feel familiar to me today.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

“I’m perplexed. My membership is perplexed as to why they didn’t go into effect because we knew that this was going to help. We’re at a standstill right now,” Clark said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Everything went perfectly that day - except for his half-time interview, which left French broadcasters perplexed.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

The growing numbers of younger people being diagnosed with bowel cancer has left doctors worldwide perplexed.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

Phyllis sits back in her seat, looking perplexed by Mrs. Collins.

From "Betty Before X" by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson

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