perplexed

[ per-plekst ]

See synonyms for perplexed on Thesaurus.com

adjective

bewildered; puzzled: a perplexed state of mind.
complicated; involved; entangled.

Origin of perplexed

¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English perplex “confused,” from Latin perplexus (see per-, complex) + -ed²

Other words from perplexed

per·plex·ed·ly [per-plek-sid-lee], /pərˈplɛk sɪd li/, adverb
per·plex·ed·ness, noun
self-per·plexed, adjective
un·per·plexed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use perplexed in a sentence

Liff was still running his fingers perplexedly through his shock of straw-colored hair.
Summer | Edith Wharton
Times were critical, and all eyes were on him as he read, and re-read, and frowned perplexedly.
Tristram of Blent | Anthony Hope
He heaved a deep breath now, and looked perplexedly into the flames.
The Range Boss | Charles Alden Seltzer
He stared perplexedly at Good, who had picked up a magazine and appeared deeply engrossed.
Thirty | Howard Vincent O'Brien
Natasha looked at her rather perplexedly, and her fixed serious glance hurt the mother.
Mother | Maksim Gorky

Browse