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.

Chronic acalculous biliary disorders are among the most perplexing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in medicine.

—Richard M. Gore

A 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

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

Examples of perplexing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In almost no time Sophie and Laura had managed to untie one knot, only to find a tighter and far more perplexing one at its center. —Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025

This perplexing synergy triggers everything from mixed signals and missed messages to an overwhelming feeling that something’s just a bit… off. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025

The inconsistent naming, Sanford noted, could initially be perplexing for travelers due to inconsistent signage, maps, and marketing materials that still use Denali. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 5 Feb. 2025

More Professional Wrestling: The reaction from the crowd may be perplexing for some fans, especially considering that Hogan is arguably the most popular professional wrestler to ever lace up his boots. —Jeremy Hanna, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for perplexing

• annexing
• complexing
• flexing
• sexing
• vexing
• multiplexing