- present participle of perplex.
perplexing
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of perplexing
Explanation
The adjective perplexing describes something it is confusing. Before you're fluent in Arabic, you may find the unfamiliar alphabet to be totally perplexing. The Latin root of perplexing is perplexus, which means involved, confused, or intricate. This root is also found in the verb perplex, or confuse. Problems are often described as perplexing, especially when several attempts to solve them are unsuccessful. You may have a perplexing decision to make, like where to go to college or whether to stay friends with a fun person who has disappointed you in some way.
Vocabulary lists containing perplexing
"Shooting an Elephant"
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Sam Shepard (1943-2017) Tribute List
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Robert Loggia (1930-2015) Tribute List
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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 mismatch between theory and observation remains one of the most perplexing problems in modern physics.
From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2026
Through another, it’s a perplexing time to break into the existing-home sale market.
From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026
Celebrity justice in the D.R. can be perplexing, and Judge José Antonio Núñez admitted as much.
From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026
The Supreme Court handed down a perplexing 5–4 decision on Thursday in Hamm v.
From Slate • May 23, 2026
As perplexing as the depictions must’ve been, I would’ve loved to see such a huge spectacle in person.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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.
