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 However, she too was perplexed about the role of the pro-prefect. Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025 On the flip side, some have found peoples' infatuation with the ferocious-looking predator perplexing. Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025 Many fans of the show are perplexed by this particular star with his cutthroat singing chops. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 19 Feb. 2025 The Italian contractors seem to have been perplexed by the cutthroat nature of New York City construction. Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perplex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplex
Verb
  • That Rocked Myanmar and Thailand But recovery efforts—including understanding the full extent of the damage and getting aid to where it’s needed most—are complicated by Myanmar’s ongoing civil war.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The Trump administration’s retributive style complicates those questions.
    Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This match exposed a couple of ugly issues the tour has to address and left spectators bewildered for long stretches at a time.
    Todd Boss, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • While some stars dazzle in their glamorous attire, others have stumbled into the realm of fashion faux pas, leaving audiences bewildered.
    WWD Staff, WWD, 21 Feb. 2025
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
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
Verb
  • No one was going to confuse Colossal with the Sierra Club.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Few foods confuse foreign visitors quite like brunost, Norwegian brown cheese.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Finding today's Connections puzzle a little bit tricky?
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Mathematicians have finally solved a geometry problem that has puzzled the field for decades.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perplex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplex. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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