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perplex Definition

per·plex (pər pleks′)

transitive verb

  1. to make (a person) uncertain, doubtful, or hesitant; confuse; puzzle
  2. to make intricate or complicated; make confusing or hard to understand to perplex an issue

Etymology: < ME perplex, perplexed < MFr perplexe < L perplexus, entangled, confused, involved < per, through + plexus, pp. of plectere, to twist, plait: see ply

noun

Rare, Archaic perplexity

perplex Related Forms

per·plex′·ing adjective per·plex′·ingly adverb

perplex Synonyms

perplex

v.

puzzle, confound, bewilder; see confuse. See syn. study at confuse.

perplex Usage Examples

Object

  • mystery: Why Orlando Bloom didn't run a million miles in the opposite direction is this year's most perplexing movie mystery.
  • puzzle: This perplexing puzzle will make you think youâre seeing double!
  • question: A more perplexing question has been raised about the status of the embryo in relation to identical twins.
  • aspect: Rough as it is, this association seems to make this perplexing aspect of UFOs more meaningful.
  • bit: This, of course, is the perplexing bit.
  • look: To which I was given a very perplexed look.

Subject

  • concept: A Lawyers Favorite Lawyer Jokes Lawyer Jokes [ Not So ] Outgoing Mail I am currently perplexed by the concept of outgoing mail.
  • problem: Christopher Carter, lecturer I had always been perplexed by the problems which I had with my voice.. .

Modifying Another Word

  • somewhat: His answers are often indirect - he tells you what he wants you to know - which makes him somewhat perplexing to interview.
  • utterly: I am wet, angry, utterly perplexed, I'm speechless.
  • slightly: No doubt my Foundation pupil to be will be slightly perplexed to find this out.
  • equally: On October 16, 2001, I landed in Bolivia with five equally perplexed Canadian interns.
  • greatly: Lady Cleve greatly perplexed; a man at her house in London died of the plague.
  • rather: Fathers For Justice hit upon the rather perplexing idea of campaigning whilst dressed in the uniform of a comic book superhero.

Used with why or when

  • when: He set some stunning times in his testing, and was often perplexed when he couldn't repeat them in official sessions.
  • why: Outside his office, a secretary shows Simon Randall in through another door perplexed why the Commander isn't there.

Infinitive complement

  • see: I was more than I little perplexed to see what looked like a football at the top of the opened sack.
  • learn: I had expected maybe rubber wheels or pneumatic tires, but was somewhat perplexed to learn that the train had no wheels at all.

Preposition: for

moment: He looked perplexed for a moment, then replied, " We don't have any poor people here.

Preposition: by

concept: A Lawyers Favorite Lawyer Jokes Lawyer Jokes [ Not So ] Outgoing Mail I am currently perplexed by the concept of outgoing mail.