adjective

perplexed

puh-PLEHKST

Perplexed (adjective) means Confused and unable to understand something. Example: “She looked perplexed by the strange instructions on the box.”

adjective

Confused and unable to understand something.

"She looked perplexed by the strange instructions on the box."

"The teacher was perplexed when half the class gave the exact same wrong answer."

How to use perplexed

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPuzzled, not sure what's going on.

Common pairings

look perplexed perplexed expression

more perplexed comparative, most perplexed superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

She looked _____ by the strange instructions on the box.

vexed

What does “perplexed” mean?

The word “perplexed” means confused and unable to understand something. In plain terms, puzzled, not sure what's going on.

How do you pronounce “perplexed”?

“Perplexed” is pronounced puh-PLEHKST (/pɚˈplɛkst/ in IPA).

How do you use “perplexed” in a sentence?

Here is “perplexed” used in a sentence: “She looked perplexed by the strange instructions on the box.”

What part of speech is “perplexed”?

“Perplexed” is an adjective.