perplex
12 synonyms and 3 antonyms for perplex, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make someone feel confused because they cannot understand something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To make someone feel confused because they cannot understand something.
Opposites
Etymology
From Old French, from Latin perplexus (“entangled, confused”), from per (“through”) + plexus, perfect passive participle of plectō (“plait, weave, braid”).
Full origin of perplex →