perplex

verb

pər-ˈpleks How to pronounce perplex (audio)
Definition of perplexnext
1
as in to complicate
to make complex or difficult let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty the question perplexed me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb perplex differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of perplex are bewilder, confound, distract, dumbfound, nonplus, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

In what contexts can bewilder take the place of perplex?

The words bewilder and perplex can be used in similar contexts, but bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

When can confound be used instead of perplex?

The synonyms confound and perplex are sometimes interchangeable, but confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When is distract a more appropriate choice than perplex?

The meanings of distract and perplex largely overlap; however, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When would dumbfound be a good substitute for perplex?

While the synonyms dumbfound and perplex are close in meaning, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

When is it sensible to use nonplus instead of perplex?

The words nonplus and perplex are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

Where would puzzle be a reasonable alternative to perplex?

Although the words puzzle and perplex have much in common, puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

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 perplex Unique characteristics, however, kept astronomers perplexed: its fluctuating brightness suggested the existence of complex atmospheric conditions beyond just clouds. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2025 Multiple voices in one hand blended into fistfuls of color, and perplexing emphases on accompaniment figures served to distract, rather than elucidate, the musical argument. —Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025 Dahl was especially perplexed by the response to Evans’s fall. —Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025 For a former player who was known as a cutthroat defender, he was perplexed by his players’ disappointing effort. —Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perplex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplex
  1. complicate
  2. bewilder
  3. baffle
  4. embarrass
  5. confuse
  6. puzzle
Verb
  • Missing their leading scorer and best player will complicate that pursuit.
    — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Additionally, the digital scan has complicated a controversial narrative about a first officer on the Titanic: William Murdoch, who has long been accused of abandoning his post.
    — Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of complicate
Verb
  • Across the street, her husband Steve, who nursed Molly through her first fight with breast cancer a few years earlier, sits bewildered in the office of their couples therapist.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Carlie thinks the whole thing is hilarious, and Chelsea remains bewildered by any King Cake Baby obsession.
    — Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of bewilder
Verb
  • Two endangered whales are baffling researchers by continuing to show up along a stretch of U.S coast that is not part of their turf, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries.
    — Mark Price, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
  • President Donald Trump’s mass tariffs have baffled Americans, creating uncertainty for the average consumer, according to industry leaders.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of baffle
Verb
  • Mariah Carey just pulled a classic mom move by embarrassing her teenage son in front of his friends.
    — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The leaking was intended to embarrass Bork, whose nomination was ultimately rejected by the U.S. Senate albeit for reasons unrelated to his rental list.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of embarrass
Verb
  • Snakeheads are often confused with a native species—the bowfin—but anglers can tell them apart by looking at the anal fin, which is much longer on a snakehead.
    — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Hippler said in the new order bringing more attention to it in opening statements and through expert testimony would add more time to the already lengthy trial and probably confuse the jury.
    — Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • Earlier this year, Gen Zers were puzzled by a classic millennial fashion staple: 6-inch high heels.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
  • At one point, McKinstry retreated to the dugout frustrated after another puzzling at-bat.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of puzzle

Browse Nearby Words

perpetuity
perplex
perplexed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perplex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplex. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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