as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
seeing her perplexity, the teacher stepped in with a helpful hint
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of perplexity
Gratitude isn’t obviously a concept capable of generating such perplexities.
—
Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 26 Nov. 2024
The performances, too, are more likenesses than full characterizations, which, admittedly, is wholly in keeping with the perplexities being dramatized.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
And that perplexity surrounding coverage may get more complicated.
—Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 17 July 2024
Excitement and perplexity have long since stiffened into certainty.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 13 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for perplexity
Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 26 Nov. 2024
The performances, too, are more likenesses than full characterizations, which, admittedly, is wholly in keeping with the perplexities being dramatized.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
And that perplexity surrounding coverage may get more complicated.
—Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 17 July 2024
Excitement and perplexity have long since stiffened into certainty.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 13 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for perplexity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexity
Noun
-
Plus, the bars are shaped like an ‘S’ and a ‘C’, so there’s no confusion as to which is which.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 May 2025
-
According to him, people who engage in financial education come from a place of need, such as growing a family, facing credit denial, having confusion about financial systems, or starting over after immigration or other major life events.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
The views of rooftops, treetops, and (if the fog cooperates) the Bay are nothing short of cinematic.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
-
Zero visibility strategy: In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perplexity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexity. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share