as in baffled
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do
the convoluted instructions for calibrating a high-definition television will leave many consumers utterly perplexed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in complicated
to make complex or difficult
let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in puzzled
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the question perplexed me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perplexed
Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025
The audacious broad-daylight carjacking and grisly murder in Central Florida last spring perplexed law enforcement officials for months.
—Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
Perry then looked perplexed why he was called for roughing as part of four offsetting penalties on the play — including two to Garland.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Instead, the dog lies on the ground with a perplexed facial expression as the small, autonomous device that cleans floors by vacuuming goes over his paw and beside him.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Adjective
This situation caused the Reddit user to become perplexed.
—Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025
The audacious broad-daylight carjacking and grisly murder in Central Florida last spring perplexed law enforcement officials for months.
—Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
Perry then looked perplexed why he was called for roughing as part of four offsetting penalties on the play — including two to Garland.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Instead, the dog lies on the ground with a perplexed facial expression as the small, autonomous device that cleans floors by vacuuming goes over his paw and beside him.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexed
Adjective
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Surrounding the headliners are grumpy arena security, who spend the night wearing baffled expressions watching a sea of adults cheer and laugh and applaud over imaginary characters engaged in battles no one can actually see, and rolls of acrylic dice just 16 millimeters in size.—
Eric Francisco,
Rolling Stone,
1 Mar. 2025
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Now, a development that once baffled educators and administrators is ready to go mainstream.—
Lexi Lonas Cochran,
The Hill,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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More than a year later, the campus remains in a state of bewildered unease.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
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But for many bewildered observers, both explanations for Trump’s extraordinary pivot to the Kremlin seem equally misplaced.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Many people get confused by these forms which contain code and jargon that rarely offer a clear explanation of anything.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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Not to be confused with DEI training, skill building is a way to help people improve their communication skills, negotiation style and overall understanding of relevant topics, all while leveling up professionally.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes,
21 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Perplexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexed. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
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