PERPLEX Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'perplex' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of perplex are bewilder , confound , distract , dumbfound , nonplus , and puzzle . While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision. // a behavior that perplexed her friends

Q: In what contexts can 'bewilder' take the place of 'perplex'?

The words bewilder and perplex can be used in similar contexts, but bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking. // a bewildering number of possibilities

Q: When can 'confound' be used instead of 'perplex'?

The synonyms confound and perplex are sometimes interchangeable, but confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement. // the tragic news confounded us all

Q: When is 'distract' a more appropriate choice than 'perplex'?

The meanings of distract and perplex largely overlap; however, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests. // distracted by personal problems

Q: When would 'dumbfound' be a good substitute for 'perplex'?

While the synonyms dumbfound and perplex are close in meaning, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound . // was at first too dumbfounded to reply

Q: When is it sensible to use 'nonplus' instead of 'perplex'?

The words nonplus and perplex are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible. // the remark left us utterly nonplussed

Q: Where would 'puzzle' be a reasonable alternative to 'perplex'?

Although the words puzzle and perplex have much in common, puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve. // the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

perplex

verb

pər-ˈpleks

Definition of perplex

as in to complicate

to make complex or difficult let's not perplex the issue further with irrelevant concerns

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to bewilder

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty the question perplexed me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb perplex differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of perplex are bewilder, confound, distract, dumbfound, nonplus, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

In what contexts can bewilder take the place of perplex?

The words bewilder and perplex can be used in similar contexts, but bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

When can confound be used instead of perplex?

The synonyms confound and perplex are sometimes interchangeable, but confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When is distract a more appropriate choice than perplex?

The meanings of distract and perplex largely overlap; however, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When would dumbfound be a good substitute for perplex?

While the synonyms dumbfound and perplex are close in meaning, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

When is it sensible to use nonplus instead of perplex?

The words nonplus and perplex are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

Where would puzzle be a reasonable alternative to perplex?

Although the words puzzle and perplex have much in common, puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of perplex None of this is meant to demean Byram, who’ll likely now face extra scrutiny from a fanbase that’s surely perplexed by this move, especially once the Blackhawks extend his contract, possibly to the $10 million range. — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 24 June 2026 Many are perplexed by the decision to partner with Target given the boycott taking place due to the company’s rollback of DEI initiatives. — Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 But there were also perplexing moments that punctured the gravitas of the event (even for an event built around hand-to-hand combat). — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026 Aryna Sabalenka being asked to dance after defeating Naomi Osaka in the French Open has one former American tennis star perplexed. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for perplex

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perplex

Verb

Today, however, several armed groups allied with Tehran are back to pressuring Iran’s foes by opening new fronts that complicate the war and threaten to choke the global economy.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
The spacecraft, named Link, was rotating on multiple axes, rendering it unable to maintain a reliable communications link with the ground and complicating efforts to arrest the spin.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of complicate

Verb

Republicans use metaphor to turn unpopular policies into perky catchphrases, leaving Democrats bewildered.

— Richard Yanowitch, Mercury News, 29 July 2026
In Texas, Spain bewildered France, neutralising what has looked like the most formidable attack in the tournament.

— Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 18 July 2026

Definition of bewilder

Verb

The operation has brought a fuel crisis that is embarrassing the Kremlin more than four years after Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbor.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Russia seeks to subjugate Ukraine and embarrass Europe in its own backyard, while China seeks dominance in East Asia - but their approaches are quite different.

— Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of embarrass

Verb

It’s labeled in their inventory so it’s not confused for an original, but adds their own touch to their trove.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Physicians are alarmed, stressing that FDA licensing is crucial for guiding patients, as this decision risks confusing consumers about regulated versus unregulated treatments.

— Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of confuse

Verb

The experimental projections, generated from archival Wagner imagery and historical scenes including late former Chancellor Helmut Kohl and the 9/11 attacks, formed a swirling collage that left many spectators puzzled and restless.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Like many oil market observers, I have been puzzled by the relatively low level of oil prices given what has been one of the largest supply disruptions in history.

— Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of puzzle

Browse Nearby Words

perpetuity

perplex

perplexed

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“Perplex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perplex. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of perplex

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