as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
seeing her perplexity, the teacher stepped in with a helpful hint
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Recent Examples of perplexity
The Eagles’ 21-17 Sunday loss to the Denver Broncos contained the perplexity that has in the past provoked fans to picket outside the NovaCare Complex’s gates.
—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Watch with any attention, and one begins to see his tricks: the squinty perplexity, the restless hands, the worry lines deepened in concentration, then suddenly relaxed.
—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
This story is one of many that showcase the perplexities that encompass being a mother and a human raising other humans, which is not a small task.
—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
10 Apr. 2025
Doing so nine days since the transfer portal opened on March 24 only adds to the perplexity.
—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexity
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Watch with any attention, and one begins to see his tricks: the squinty perplexity, the restless hands, the worry lines deepened in concentration, then suddenly relaxed.
—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
This story is one of many that showcase the perplexities that encompass being a mother and a human raising other humans, which is not a small task.
—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
10 Apr. 2025
Doing so nine days since the transfer portal opened on March 24 only adds to the perplexity.
—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplexity
Noun
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Mercury stations retrograde in Cancer in your 11th House of Friends and Community, bringing old invitations, group-chat confusion, or unclear expectations back into focus.
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In it, the author described a culture of confusion, stress, and incompetence, as contractors competed for work to be completed under near-impossible deadlines.
Noun
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When Ian Happ made the final out of the frame, the umpires convened and called a delay, a rare stoppage because of the fog-shrouded Wrigley Field.
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Dense fog shrouded the Golden Gate Bridge and masked the city's fireworks display.
Cite this Entry
“Perplexity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplexity. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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