as in baffling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 perplexing
Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
One of the most perplexing and seemingly antiquated features of City Hall got a lot of use Tuesday: a bulletin board where motions are posted for public viewing.
—Tony Barboza, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
In almost no time Sophie and Laura had managed to untie one knot, only to find a tighter and far more perplexing one at its center.
—Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
This perplexing synergy triggers everything from mixed signals and missed messages to an overwhelming feeling that something’s just a bit… off.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexing
Adjective
Mediumship does not belong to some incredulous or demented margins; it can be practiced ethically by individuals trained through empirical standards to address the uncanny and perplexing phenomena beyond our five-sense world.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
One of the most perplexing and seemingly antiquated features of City Hall got a lot of use Tuesday: a bulletin board where motions are posted for public viewing.
—Tony Barboza, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
In almost no time Sophie and Laura had managed to untie one knot, only to find a tighter and far more perplexing one at its center.
—Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
This perplexing synergy triggers everything from mixed signals and missed messages to an overwhelming feeling that something’s just a bit… off.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexing
Adjective
-
The goats have been one of the most baffling mysteries to haunt the halls of Lumon and have confused fans since season 1.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Divorce is never easy, but sometimes the reasons behind it can be downright baffling.—
Maria Morava,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Researchers are particularly focused on unraveling the puzzling interplay between gas content, magma pressure and lava flow dynamics.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
-
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
-
Perhaps most frustrating for affected users is the lack of clear, timely communication.—
Alex Vakulov,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
For a less frustrating mowing experience, have mower blades sharpened.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But for those of us who consider a walk of over a half-mile a squandered opportunity to knock a golf ball hither and yon, Los Angeles offers a bewildering array of worthy courses to explore for players of all levels.—
David Weiss,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The rising interest in beef tallow is bewildering to Christopher Gardner, PhD, a professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine in California and a nutrition scientist at the Stanford Prevention Research Center.—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In the Ford administration, a very disorganized speechwriting operation led to one unruly Oval Office situation.—
Tevi Troy,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Mar. 2025
-
During inflammation, such as wound-healing and scar formation, fibroblasts lay down relatively disorganized structures.—
Alison Escalante,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
While older teens might appreciate its message about family and independence, younger kids will likely be more confused than entertained.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Sea lions and dolphins have been observed rigid with seizures, acting dazed and confused.—
Susanne Rust,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
At Vintage Frills, unorganized shelves, racks bursting with thousands of random pieces, and having to browse through mountains of fast fashion clothes bought last year—that, naturally, someone threw away when trends changed—are a thing of the past.—
Grace Butler,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
-
That, in turn, could help businesses sort through troves of messy unorganized datasets faster and find patterns and data points to help make decisions.—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In the past, Jamil has openly discussed her own journey recovering from anorexia and disordered eating.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
27 Dec. 2024
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Perplexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexing. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share