noun
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the state of being perplexed
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the state of being intricate or complicated
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something that perplexes
Etymology
Origin of perplexity
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English perplexite, from Old French, from Late Latin perplexitās, from Latin perplex(us) ( see perplexed) + -itās -ity
Explanation
Perplexity is confusion that results from something being complicated. The instruction manuals for computer components might put a look of perplexity on your face. If you think of the word complexity — which is when something is really intricate or involves lots of complicated parts — it might help you remember that perplexity is the state that results from complexity. You might experience perplexity at the complexity of the plays your coach has diagrammed, or perplexity at the complicated menu options at an Indian restaurant.
Vocabulary lists containing perplexity
The Jungle
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"Home" by Anton Chekhov
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myPerspectives 10.6
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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.
Most amusing is the creators’ sincere perplexity at their creations being taken seriously.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025
The mainstream press expressed perplexity at his embrace of an Irish cultural identity "despite being born and raised in England".
From BBC • Aug. 9, 2025
The authors expressed perplexity about why excess deaths actually rose in 2021, despite the arrival of the vaccines and the implementation of social anti-pandemic measures, and remained elevated the following year.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2024
“It seems that the sea was calm,” Francis said, seemingly expressing perplexity that such a grave tragedy could happen in those conditions.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 18, 2023
Explored our far-flung underground world in an endless wargame of leaps onto nothing, ingenious twists into freedom or new perplexity, quick whispered plottings with invisible friends, wild cackles when vengeance was mine.
From "Grendel" by John Gardner
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.
