perplexing
adjective
per·plex·ing
pər-ˈplek-siŋ 
: difficult to understand : causing confusion
A perplexing feature of insomnia is that people seem to overestimate their sleep loss.—
Rita L. Atkinson et al.
Rita L. Atkinson et al.Chronic acalculous biliary disorders are among the most perplexing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in medicine.—Richard M. Gore
Richard M. GoreA perplexing problem, often encountered by cat owners, is that of a refusal to use the litterbox after using it for years in the past.—Susan L. Mathews
Susan L. Mathews
perplexingly
adverb
a perplexingly complex problem
This was all that I could observe of her in the dim light and under the perplexingly strange circumstances of our meeting.
—Wilkie Collins
Wilkie Collins
Examples of perplexing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Dodgers’ offense is more talented than the last 10 days have indicated, which makes this stretch all the more perplexing.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Their silence is a bit perplexing, given that many of them claim to be focused on current events and trending topics.
—Christian Paz, Vox, 14 Apr. 2025
The contract terminations in Syria are especially perplexing, said a USAID official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
—Melody Schreiber, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025
What was especially perplexing, however, was that Vásquez handled lefties much better as a rookie with the Yankees, limiting them to a .206/.304/.427 batting line in 2023.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
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Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Their silence is a bit perplexing, given that many of them claim to be focused on current events and trending topics.
—Christian Paz, Vox, 14 Apr. 2025
The contract terminations in Syria are especially perplexing, said a USAID official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
—Melody Schreiber, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025
What was especially perplexing, however, was that Vásquez handled lefties much better as a rookie with the Yankees, limiting them to a .206/.304/.427 batting line in 2023.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perplexing
Cite this Entry
“Perplexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perplexing. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
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