PERPLEXED Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

perplexed 1 of 2

adjective

pər-ˈplekst

Definition of perplexed

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

perplexed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of perplex

as in complicated

to make complex or difficult let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in puzzled

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty the question perplexed me

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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 perplexed

Adjective

The exact reason for the planet's unusual tilt has long perplexed astronomers, and debate continues over what might have led to its present-day appearance. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026 University leaders and state lawmakers from these rural Oklahoma are perplexed to find themselves in the crosshairs of this culture war issue. — Andrea Eger, Oklahoma Watch, 6 Sep. 2026

Verb

Others are perplexed at the meshing of fact (Wat Tyler and the Revolt) and fiction (Robin Hood). — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 As crime units and crime tape surrounded the house, neighbors who knew the officer are perplexed. — Anna Meiler, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perplexed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexed

Adjective

The Tulare County elections office in the Central Valley was suddenly getting peppered with questions from baffled voters.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Thanks to the coffered and baffled wood ceilings, noise levels are buffered and kept to a pleasant rumble.

— Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of baffled

Verb

Their decisions may be complicated by elections in Israel and the US, which could kickstart a return to conflict in the Middle East and drive energy prices even higher.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Bussard cares for her 42-year-old son, Alex, who has complicated medical needs since surviving a brain tumor and brain hemorrhage.

— Stephanie Dhue,Sharon Epperson, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of complicated

Verb

That the Houthis are able to score hits from 500 miles away, despite the Saudi military spending tens of billions of dollars on multi-layered air defense systems, has puzzled experts.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
He was puzzled when, after 2021, the number of children going into foster care dropped, but the state's costs for child welfare were rising.

— Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of puzzled

Verb

Chicago embarrassed Philadelphia, while the Eagles squandered a late lead against the Rams before suffering an improbable loss to the Jaguars in London.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
The Longhorns’ offense scored 17 points against a Florida defense that Missouri and South Carolina embarrassed.

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of embarrassed

Adjective

On Sunday, people went through Puente’s former room, walked around the outside of the property where bodies were once buried and seemed generally nonplussed.

— Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Swinging away with the top button on his Cardinals jersey undone, the 24-year-old Walker seemed nonplussed by the jeers and the massive stage during All-Star Game festivities.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Definition of nonplussed

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“Perplexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexed. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of perplexed

adjective

verb

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