perplex
verb
per·plex
pər-ˈpleks 
perplexed; perplexing; perplexes
1
: to make unable to grasp something clearly or to think logically and decisively about something
her attitude perplexes me
a perplexing problem
2
: to make intricate or involved : complicate
Examples of perplex in a Sentence
Questions about the meaning of life have always perplexed humankind.
let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns
Recent Examples on the Web
And some Democrats are still perplexed by the fact that last November Donald Trump became the first Republican since maybe Abraham Lincoln to carry Fall River.
—
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
Dahl was especially perplexed by the response to Evans’s fall.
—Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Some were perplexed by its location, while others were enchanted by the simplistic nature of a home from a time long gone.
—Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2025
For a former player who was known as a cutthroat defender, he was perplexed by his players’ disappointing effort.
—Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplex
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.
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
Dahl was especially perplexed by the response to Evans’s fall.
—Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Some were perplexed by its location, while others were enchanted by the simplistic nature of a home from a time long gone.
—Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2025
For a former player who was known as a cutthroat defender, he was perplexed by his players’ disappointing effort.
—Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplex
Cite this Entry
“Perplex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perplex. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perplex
verb
per·plex
pər-ˈpleks
1
: to block the understanding of
especially
: confuse sense 1a, bewilder
2
: to make difficult to understand : complicate
perplexed
adjective
-ˈplekst
perplexedly
adverb
-ˈplek-səd-lē
-ˈpleks-tlē
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share