Synonyms for perplexed
- adjective
Most common
confused puzzled bewildered nonplussed baffled dumbfounded mystified befuddled
All synonyms
Adjective
puzzled, bewildered, confused, nonplussed, baffled, mystified, befuddled, dumbfounded, disconcerted, flummoxed, confounded, stumped informal, flustered, stuck, complicated, difficult, lost, knotty, inextricable, intricate, muzzy, bemused, muddled, addled
Definitions
- adj. 1
Confused or puzzled.
The scientists were perplexed by the new discovery.
Related words
- Word family
- perplexedly perplexedness
Choose the right word
A student may be perplexed regarding a translation, yet, if he has time enough, not at all anxious regarding it.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- confused Nationalism is not to be confused with patriotism.
- puzzled Tom told me that he thought that Mary was puzzled.
- bewildered People were bewildered by the unexpected situation.
- nonplussed She was completely nonplussed by his unexpected behavior.
- baffled Tom's disappearance completely baffled the police.
- dumbfounded John and Jessica looked at each other, dumbfounded.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| perplexed | rising | |
| confused | rising | |
| puzzled | rising | |
| bewildered | rising | |
| nonplussed | rising | |
| baffled | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- lost1
- 5 letters
- stuck1, muzzy2
- 6 letters
- addled2, knotty2
- 7 letters
- baffled2, puzzled2, stumped1, muddled2, bemused2
- 8 letters
- confused2
- 9 letters
- difficult3, intricate3, flustered2, mystified3, befuddled3, flummoxed2
- 10 letters
- bewildered3, confounded3, nonplussed2
- 11 letters
- complicated4, dumbfounded3
- 12 letters
- inextricable5, disconcerted
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (muzzy2 = 2 syllables).