as in baffled
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do
the convoluted instructions for calibrating a high-definition television will leave many consumers utterly perplexed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in complicated
to make complex or difficult
let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in puzzled
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
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Recent Examples of perplexed
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
Billie looks perplexed, but clearly Joe is working on Irene somehow, as Irene is hanging on his every word.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
These are the brutally real snapshots of a man well acquainted with—but still perplexed by—the powerful and destructive forces that lord over our lives.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Adjective
Levy masters one hilarious perplexed comedic reaction after another as Nicky, a closeted pastor with a zany, highly dysfunctional family.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
Billie looks perplexed, but clearly Joe is working on Irene somehow, as Irene is hanging on his every word.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
Their presence prompted nervousness among beachgoers and surfers sharing the water, but marveled researchers who were perplexed by the abnormally longer stay close to shore.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
These are the brutally real snapshots of a man well acquainted with—but still perplexed by—the powerful and destructive forces that lord over our lives.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perplexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexed
Adjective
-
Glaser, no doubt like many viewers, seemed a little baffled when the Swift songs dried up, and Idol had to pad out the rest of the episode with songs themed around California.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Not outraged but baffled, curious Kaho tries to find out his hidden message.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Spirit had hoped to morph into a smaller operation this summer, but those plans were complicated as jet fuel prices spiked.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
3 May 2026
-
The administration has signaled that proposals from Tehran have gotten incrementally better as the negotiations have dragged on, but that disorganization of leadership has complicated the process.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
As Kate headed for her car, Emily just stood there, looking puzzled.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
However, when hunting for the best thyme varieties to grow in your kitchen garden, you might be puzzled by their diverse names.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Everyone was so relieved to see how bewildered everyone else was that the feeling in this place was almost festive.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Numerous cryptocurrency novices become bewildered by intricate decals and fluctuating percentages.—
Malana VanTyler,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That this series has flipped on its head seemed almost impossible last Sunday, when the Celtics embarrassed Philadelphia in a Game 4 win on the Sixers’ home floor.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The Mets were embarrassed by the Washington Nationals in an 14-2 blowout to even up the series at one game apiece.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But when an audition for the sixth film came through, he was initially confused by the prospect of rejoining a franchise in which his character had already died.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
2 May 2026
-
Not to be confused with German tiny camper van builder Alpincamper, Switzerland's Alpencamper is a small upstart dedicated to bicycle camping trailers.—
C.C. Weiss
May 01,
New Atlas,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Not that everyone seems nonplussed.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
As the girls leave, Romans turns his attention to his favorite visitor, grandson Henry, who is clearly accustomed to and entirely nonplussed by the animals surrounding him.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perplexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexed. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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