PERPLEXING Synonyms: 174 Similar and Opposite Words

perplexing 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of perplexing

as in baffling

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

perplexing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of perplex

as in complicating

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Adjective

Homicide detective Sofia Karppi returns to work after the death of her husband and is immediately thrown into the middle of a perplexing murder case that implicates a massive clean energy company. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026 Director Darren Aronofsky’s chilly mind-bender is mesmerizing, terrifying and perplexing in equal measure. — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

That’s perplexing to Alvarez and Oakley, given that Cal State tuition is still relatively low, despite recent annual tuition hikes. — Cal Matters, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026 The disjunction between the abstract composition and the notion of self-portraiture appeared perplexing in its own right; its inoperability only exacerbated the viewer’s frustration and redoubled the artist’s impish provocation. — Ara H. Merjian, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perplexing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexing

Adjective

The Carolina Panthers endured a baffling, frustrating, never-truly-in-it four quarters of football against the Tamp Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in Bank of America Stadium.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
This flurry of baffling activity makes sense only when seen through the US political prism.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of baffling

Verb

But complicating the government's efforts to bring the French deficit under control are widespread protests that have turned increasingly violent since starting as a Parisian student movement last month.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Previous Ebola outbreaks were marked by allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds, which experts said have contributed to the mistrust of local communities, complicating the efforts to halt the spread.

— Monika Pronczuk, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of complicating

Verb

Researchers are still puzzling through what happened to the ancient Maya civilization, which mysteriously dwindled.

— Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026
To read her book is to be reminded that childhood can be a puzzling passage for anyone, even in an ostensibly simpler time and place.

— Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of puzzling

Adjective

Berg, working with DP Jacques Jouffret, favors close shots that force us to experience battle much like our heroes do, as confusing, terrifying bursts of mayhem.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
However, by creating official federal standards for their color, brightness, and location, NHTSA wants to make sure that any automaker who chooses to add them uses a consistent, legal setup instead of a confusing mix of different colors and signals.

— Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of confusing

Verb

My New York neighbors barely said hello; in Singapore, a stranger would probably politely look away rather than risk embarrassing you.

— Amanda Lee Koe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
After those results went public, embarrassing Muñiz and a few other judges, the Florida Bar stopped conducting surveys and publishing the results … leaving Florida voters with even fewer resources.

— Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Verb

The threats are constantly evolving, layering upon themselves with bewildering speed.

— Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
But these casting decisions are bewildering, to say the least, and will certainly cost the film ticket sales and potential revenue.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of bewildering

Adjective

Meanwhile, her position on taxation seems fairly muddled and not yet fully formed.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026
Garfield, sensitive and earthy, is our bellwether as the events descend into bloody carnage dictated by muddled agendas.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of muddled

Browse Nearby Words

perplexes

perplexing

perplexities

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Style

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

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Synonyms of perplexing

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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