perplexing

adjective

per·​plex·​ing pər-ˈplek-siŋ How to pronounce perplexing (audio)
: difficult to understand : causing confusion
A perplexing feature of insomnia is that people seem to overestimate their sleep loss.Rita L. Atkinson et al.
Chronic acalculous biliary disorders are among the most perplexing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in medicine.Richard M. Gore
A perplexing problem, often encountered by cat owners, is that of a refusal to use the litterbox after using it for years in the past.Susan L. Mathews
perplexingly adverb
a perplexingly complex problem
This was all that I could observe of her in the dim light and under the perplexingly strange circumstances of our meeting. Wilkie Collins

Examples of perplexing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Your diet beverage is full of a slew of perplexing sugar substitutes, but the regular version has too much sugar to justify drinking it. Andrew Watman, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 These questions have seemed both urgent and perplexing, not only to Ramos but to many others as well; whether Trump will repeat or exceed his performance with Latinos is one of the main unknowns that could determine the outcome of the election. Geraldo Cadava, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2024 The Guardian reports that Queen Camilla had to calm down the King, 75, and explain what the perplexing plastic covering was. Marina Watts, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024 This perplexing square could also trigger miscommunication and unrealistic expectations, making the need to clarify your intentions all the more crucial at this time. Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 2 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perplexing 

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perplexing was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near perplexing

Cite this Entry

“Perplexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perplexing. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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