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
Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Short-yardage situations continue to be an issue The Dolphins hold the distinction of being the NFL’s worst short-yardage team for three straight seasons, and there’s no end in sight for this perplexing issue.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 2025
The theme’s implicit insouciance becomes perplexing when accompanied by scientific studies and even a World Health Organization report touting the healing properties of art.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025
Bolivia's bold women skateboarders, ponytail-making lessons, a perplexing COVID situation, fog harvesting.
—Marc Silver, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perplexing 
Adjective
Mangione, who frequently posted online about his struggles with back pain, was reportedly never a UnitedHealthcare client, adding a perplexing dimension to the case.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Short-yardage situations continue to be an issue The Dolphins hold the distinction of being the NFL’s worst short-yardage team for three straight seasons, and there’s no end in sight for this perplexing issue.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 2025
The theme’s implicit insouciance becomes perplexing when accompanied by scientific studies and even a World Health Organization report touting the healing properties of art.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025
Bolivia's bold women skateboarders, ponytail-making lessons, a perplexing COVID situation, fog harvesting.
—Marc Silver, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perplexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexing
Adjective
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Other than Notre Dame’s baffling performances in the Cayman Islands against TCU and Utah, the Big 12 didn’t have many marquee victories in nonconference play.—
Sabreena Merchant,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
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This decision is a baffling swerve for a celebrity biopic, one that will probably keep it from becoming an out-and-out sensation.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
14 Jan. 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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Her hunt for that first Grand Slam title, which had once seemed easy to find, got frustrating.—
Matthew Futterman,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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Real relationships, including the messy, spontaneous, and occasionally frustrating ones, offer a depth of connection that AI can never replicate.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But beyond those bewildering effects, Lynch was onto something.—
Billy J. Stratton,
The Conversation,
17 Jan. 2025
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Her bewildering response may put an end to her political career, as withering criticisms continue.—
The Editorial Board,
Orange County Register,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The essential insights and information quality data provides can be diluted or even distorted when a company is drowning in disorganized, irrelevant or duplicated data.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
16 Dec. 2024
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Overflowing, disorganized closets are an all too common problem, and so are ones that have undergone a big organization effort to no avail.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Those friends are now left angry, confused and with a stinging loss.—
Ellen Moynihan,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2025
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Many customers are confused about high-yield savings Confusion abounds.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Bathrooms that appear messy or unorganized often have products in them that don't belong in a bathroom.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
29 Dec. 2024
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 1 Feb. 2025.
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