Meaning & use
perplexed
Last updated
Completely confused or puzzled by something complicated or unclear.
See it in a sentence
She looked perplexed as she stared at the confusing tax form.
The detective was perplexed by the lack of any physical evidence.
A note on using this word
Slightly more formal than 'confused,' and often suggests a deeper or more troubling puzzlement.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
clear-headedenlightened
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