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
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Recent Examples of perplex
Several drones were reportedly spotted in the skies above a Connecticut suburb Thursday night, adding to recent sightings that have perplexed residents and raised questions about possible national security and public safety concerns.
—
Louis Casiano, Fox News, 13 Dec. 2024
Even though the semolina flour perplexed their competitors, Johnson and Harrison committed to the ingredient.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Sociologists have been perplexed at the scale and stubbornness of the decline in fertility, which does not appear to be materially impacted by various governments' attempts to intervene with supposedly birth-inducing policies like tax credits.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
For years, astronomers have been perplexed by this particular supermassive black hole, a behemoth as large as a million suns in a distant galaxy.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplex
Louis Casiano, Fox News, 13 Dec. 2024
Even though the semolina flour perplexed their competitors, Johnson and Harrison committed to the ingredient.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Sociologists have been perplexed at the scale and stubbornness of the decline in fertility, which does not appear to be materially impacted by various governments' attempts to intervene with supposedly birth-inducing policies like tax credits.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
For years, astronomers have been perplexed by this particular supermassive black hole, a behemoth as large as a million suns in a distant galaxy.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplex
Verb
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That’s the one thing that could get complicated, at least from a hitter’s perspective.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Figuring out the best time to apply can be complicated.—
Liz Weston,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The cat, named Ameera, looked bewildered by her family early start to the day.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
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Jackie lets the ladies know that Phaedra may not be rejoining the group, and while Toya seems a bit bewildered, Simone remains indifferent—further solidifying the mean girl energy that Phaedra called out.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The dead man left a nickel, three pennies and a mystery that baffles Miami Beach police.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2025
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Buried 500-Year-Old Gold Coins Hidden by Monk 'in Danger' Discovered By Rachael O'Connor Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 A father was baffled when his son arrived home with a silver dollar coin, and took to the internet for help.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Get okay with the idea that in the future, your past work will embarrass you.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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The Vance memes seem to contain an admission as well: that even some conservatives do not see him as essential to the current MAGA movement. Consider the fact that Democrats have long tried to embarrass Trump with memes and images of him as an infant, a Cheeto, and other forms.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Boat-Friendly Boca Grande To live in Boca Grande (not to be confused with Boca Raton, the resort on Florida’s east coast) is to be on the water.—
Mary Forgione,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
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When some confused the artist organization’s acronym, RCAF, with the Royal Canadian Air Force, the name was humorously changed to the Royal Chicano Air Force.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacramento Bee,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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At 28 years and nine months old, the former New York Yankees outfielder who struck out to end the 2024 World Series is the youngest free agent still without a team — a puzzling fall from grace for a six-year veteran who is 2019 was the Los Angeles Dodgers No. 1 prospect.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
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Another puzzling decision was the flag to remove a photo of Army Corps biologists recording information about fish.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perplex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplex. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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