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
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 28 May 2025
Even more perplexing: If shutting off service to new customers without an account is their strict policy, why wait until Friday to execute it?
—Ryan Minton, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Part of the reason structures like the Hercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall are so perplexing to scientists has to do with the cosmological principle, which most models of the cosmos are founded upon.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2025
There is sympathy for the club, having lost their head coach and their best player in the summer post-promotion, and bewilderment at two perplexing subsequent managerial hires.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexing
Adjective
What’s even more perplexing is that the brothers booked plane tickets to Boston for March 7, the day before they were found dead.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 28 May 2025
Even more perplexing: If shutting off service to new customers without an account is their strict policy, why wait until Friday to execute it?
—Ryan Minton, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Part of the reason structures like the Hercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall are so perplexing to scientists has to do with the cosmological principle, which most models of the cosmos are founded upon.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2025
There is sympathy for the club, having lost their head coach and their best player in the summer post-promotion, and bewilderment at two perplexing subsequent managerial hires.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexing
Adjective
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Some baffling decisions were made that fundamentally alter not only her characterization and arc, but the very nature of the story itself.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
These new elements are neither remarkable nor unwelcome, but devoting time to them at the expense of Stitch is an utterly baffling decision.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
21 May 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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This year’s mayoral race has so far been a strange, frustrating exercise.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
13 June 2025
-
However, managing their ripeness can be a frustrating endeavor.—
Maryal Miller Carter,
USA Today,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Then two things happened that have come to define the most bewildering season in the proud history of the six-time MLS champions.—
Mark Zeigler,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
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This is bewildering to Nick, who has questions about openness, fluidity and relationship labels.—
Jennifer Vineyard,
Flow Space,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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That’s because of the Central American gyre: a large, disorganized area of showers and thunderstorms that rotates over the region and its surrounding water.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
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Even among those that are transparent, some have records that are very disorganized, whereas others have very organized and understandable records.—
Tom Clark,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Despite decades of existence, Jack in the Box’s sales remain stagnant, its strategy appears confused, and investors are becoming increasingly uneasy.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
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After social media backlash, including a confused reaction from Dr. Dre and legendary B-Boy Crazy Legs, the 37-year-old issued an apology to the breaking community.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
Chaos Gardens Can Attract Pests and Diseases A dense, unorganized garden can restrict airflow and trap humidity, creating perfect conditions for fungal diseases.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
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Digital clutter— unread emails, countless open tabs, and thousands of unorganized photos—can feel like a burden and actually hinder your productivity and focus.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
The cells have an ugly, disordered appearance under a microscope.—
Adam B. Kushner,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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In more severe cases, this ongoing pattern may erode a parent’s relationship with food, leading to emotional or disordered eating that feels increasingly difficult to name, let alone break.—
Christine Michel Carter,
Parents,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perplexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexing. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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