- 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. mystify, confound. 2. tangle, snarl. 3. vex, annoy, bother.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
perplex /pəˈplɛks/ vb (transitive)
'perplex' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
baffle
- befuddle
- confound
- confuse
- disorientate
- flummox
- fox
- intricate
- knot
- obfuscate
- puzzle
- amaze
- bamboozle
- bewilder
- captious
- disconcert
- disturb
- enlighten
- entangle
- flabbergast
- fog
- maze
- mystify
- nonplus
- perplexed
- perplexity
- ravel
- unperplexing
- stick
- stumble