to puzzle; bewilder; confuse to complicate: to perplex an issue
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
per•plex /pɚˈplɛks/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to cause to be confused over what is not understood or certain:Her strange, quiet behavior perplexed me.
per•plex
(pər pleks′),USA pronunciation v.t.
per•plex′er, n.
per•plex′ing•ly, adv.
- to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is not understood or certain;
confuse mentally:Her strange response perplexed me. - to make complicated or confused, as a matter or question.
- to hamper with complications, confusion, or uncertainty.
- back formation from perplexed 1585–95
per•plex′ing•ly, adv.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged mystify, confound.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged tangle, snarl.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged vex, annoy, bother.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'perplex' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
amaze
- baffle
- bamboozle
- befuddle
- bewilder
- captious
- confound
- confuse
- disconcert
- disorientate
- disturb
- enlighten
- entangle
- flabbergast
- flummox
- fog
- fox
- intricate
- knot
- maze
- mystify
- nonplus
- obfuscate
- perplexed
- perplexity
- puzzle
- ravel
- stick
- stumble
- unperplexing