perplex
verb (used with object)
to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is not understood or certain; confuse mentally.
were perplexing
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past progressiveof perplex.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
A year and a half ago, his wife gave him a DNA test kit, and the results were perplexing.
From New York Times ● Nov. 23, 2020
Still, the collection’s initial sales figures were perplexing.
From The New Yorker ● Sep. 2, 2019
Some of the space-saving decisions, such as easy-to-reach reading lights attached to the bed’s headboard, were helpful, but many were perplexing.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 10, 2016
Such criticisms were perplexing to a man who regularly jumps from field to field.
From Scientific American ● Jun. 8, 2011
As to his shirt-collar, and his coat-collar, they were perplexing to reflect upon,—insoluble mysteries both.
From Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
