as in baffling
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in complicating
to make complex or difficult
let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in puzzling
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the question perplexed me
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perplexing
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
With new mysteries such as dark matter, dark energy, the search for a quantum theory of gravity, the Hubble tension and the cause of the Big Bang all perplexing physicists, now would be a great time for another transformation in science akin to that of a century ago.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
One of the more perplexing things about the Kings over the first half of the season has been their abysmal home record.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
The pavilion’s perplexing parent company, yeswetrust, seemed to offer everything from crypto to Thai real estate to daily incentives to meditate, drink water, and breathe.
—Caitlín Doherty, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for perplexing 
Adjective
This is followed by a perplexing square between Mercury in Pisces and Jupiter in Gemini on the 19th, causing a clash between fantasy and reality — take your time making important decisions.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
With new mysteries such as dark matter, dark energy, the search for a quantum theory of gravity, the Hubble tension and the cause of the Big Bang all perplexing physicists, now would be a great time for another transformation in science akin to that of a century ago.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
One of the more perplexing things about the Kings over the first half of the season has been their abysmal home record.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
The pavilion’s perplexing parent company, yeswetrust, seemed to offer everything from crypto to Thai real estate to daily incentives to meditate, drink water, and breathe.
—Caitlín Doherty, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for perplexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexing
Adjective
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Most baffling of all, Ye claimed that fake children had been installed in his home to corrupt his children.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
7 Feb. 2025
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Then the other baffling interaction of the episode happens.—
Ali Barthwell,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Researchers are particularly focused on unraveling the puzzling interplay between gas content, magma pressure and lava flow dynamics.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
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Almost two years into his ordeal, Gould learned of an initiative at the National Institutes of Health that focuses on solving the country’s most puzzling medical cases.—
Jason Liebowitz,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Tied 1-1 midway through the second period against a Finland team frustrating and stifling the Americans, head coach Mike Sullivan swapped Kyle Connor with Brady Tkachuk on a line with Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Eichel.—
Pierre LeBrun,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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Unfortunately, the setup process is frustrating compared with the competition, as are the site-building tools.—
Robert Anderson,
PCMAG,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Sterling is both a blank slate, a character beginning a new phase of his life, and someone who’s facing a bewildering number of options, including sticking around, leaving town or returning to a life of crime.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 Feb. 2025
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That car heist unleashed a bewildering series of encounters.—
Todd Miller, contributor,
CNBC,
3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Emily Keeney Dated or disorganized houses become functional, fresh homes in the hands of Drift Interiors + Architecture.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
10 Feb. 2025
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To mix metaphors as badly as this doc overcomplicates Combs’ case by tackling the topic too early and from too many angles, this research is so disorganized that the story resembles something akin to deranged lobbyists throwing spaghetti at the wall through a shotgun.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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From there, the show spun outward, presenting a whole cast of shadowy doubles and mysteriously cosmic back doors—during which distance grew between us, the confused audience, and Laura’s death, which had kicked off the entire franchise.—
K. Austin Collins,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2025
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The bride was confused at this, and even more taken back by her hostility.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Even with an influx of talent through the transfer portal, Indiana has appeared unorganized and lacks energy against many of its Big Ten foes.—
Scott Dochterman,
The Athletic,
7 Feb. 2025
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The numbers in these early examples may be small, but as labor unions continue to expand their reach into previously unorganized sectors, expect to see a greater emphasis on fair pay, better working conditions, and broader social benefits for workers.—
Aparna Rae,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In the past, Jamil has openly discussed her own journey recovering from anorexia and disordered eating.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
27 Dec. 2024
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Thus did the conservative loose cannonballs come eventually to dominate the GOP—and define our disordered political era.—
Daniel Schlozman & Sam Rosenfeld / Made by History,
TIME,
10 June 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near perplexing
Cite this Entry
“Perplexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexing. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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