1
as in to complicate
to make complex or difficult
let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the question perplexed me
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 perplex
This abrupt conclusion to their title reign left many fans perplexed, questioning the logic behind their initial victory.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
There's also an optical illusions section that can be fun for children who like to be perplexed.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 19 Apr. 2025
But that doesn’t change the fact that players seem to be consistently perplexed by their own ball flight.
—Gabby Herzig, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth perplexed and perturbed allies on his first visit to NATO by seemingly taking some of Ukraine's bargaining chips off the table before those talks began.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplex
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
There's also an optical illusions section that can be fun for children who like to be perplexed.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 19 Apr. 2025
But that doesn’t change the fact that players seem to be consistently perplexed by their own ball flight.
—Gabby Herzig, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth perplexed and perturbed allies on his first visit to NATO by seemingly taking some of Ukraine's bargaining chips off the table before those talks began.
—Zachary Basu, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplex
Verb
-
Start connecting with your ideal clients today Getting calls with your dream customers isn't complicated.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
While their relationship is complicated, to say the least, Serena doesn't want to see June executed.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
They were bewildered for me, and so was all the other staff.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Small wonder many of the migrants are disoriented and bewildered.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Some were baffled by Perry’s dancing and said the show looked cheap.—
Courtney Lane,
Kansas City Star,
11 May 2025
-
The complexities of her character mirrored in her stony, resentful stare, in her grim, unforgiving mouth, will always baffle and enthrall.—
E.R. Zarevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
7 May 2025
Verb
-
What’s made the 18th so fun this week is its ability — even for just a second — to embarrass the best golfers on the planet.—
Jordan Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
17 May 2025
-
Johnson’s predecessor, Larry Robinson, resigned last year amid fallout from a fake $237 million donation scandal that embarrassed the school on the national stage.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
All of the footage from The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon makes the show-within-a-show look silly, which the series confuses with humorousness.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2025
-
While no one should ever have confused the entertainment business with a warm binkie, the institutions themselves are in the new and awkward spot of having to justify their existence.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
That drop has puzzled the Dodgers and the right-hander alike.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
-
Listen to this article In 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery merged HBO Max and Discovery+ into a single streaming app called Max, with the puzzling decision to remove the HBO from the streaming app’s brand.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perplex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplex. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share