perplexed
Completely at sea
Perplexed describes a state of confusion or bewilderment, typically when faced with something difficult to understand or resolve.
Someone perplexed is puzzled, uncertain how to proceed or what to think.
I was perplexed by her sudden change in attitude.
The word suggests more than simple confusion—there's often an element of being troubled or bothered by the inability to make sense of something.
A perplexed expression shows visible signs of this mental state: furrowed brow, searching eyes.
Utterly unable to understand
- confusedUnable to understand
- puzzledConfused by something unclear
- mystifiedUtterly unable to understand
- befuddledMentally confused, disoriented
flummoxed · nonplussed · discombobulated · dumbfounded · confounded · disoriented · muddled · addled
Overwhelmed with amazement
- astoundedOverwhelmed by surprise
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
- dazedShocked into mental fog
- stupefiedOverwhelmed into mental blankness
thunderstruck · gobsmacked · aghast · shocked · startled · speechless · agog · staggered
Uncertain of truth
- hesitantSlow to act
- unsureLacking confidence or certainty
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- tornPulled into pieces
ambivalent · wavering · tentative · undecided · questioning · second-guessing · vacillating · of two minds
Complex and difficult
- tangledTwisted confusedly together
- thornyHaving sharp protrusions
- convolutedExcessively complex or twisted
- labyrinthineExtremely complex and winding
intricate · byzantine · enigmatic · cryptic · inscrutable · impenetrable · unfathomable · abstruse
baffled
Utterly unable to understand
- confusedUnable to understand
- puzzledConfused by something unclear
- mystifiedUtterly unable to understand
befuddled · flummoxed · nonplussed · discombobulated · dumbfounded · confounded · disoriented · muddled · addled · vexed
flabbergasted
Overwhelmed with amazement
stupefied · thunderstruck · gobsmacked · aghast · shocked · startled · speechless · agog · staggered · bowled over
doubtful
Uncertain of truth
- hesitantSlow to act
- unsureLacking confidence or certainty
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
torn · ambivalent · wavering · tentative · undecided · questioning · second-guessing · vacillating · of two minds · conflicted
knotty
Complex and difficult
- tangledTwisted confusedly together
- thornyHaving sharp protrusions
- convolutedExcessively complex or twisted
labyrinthine · intricate · byzantine · enigmatic · cryptic · inscrutable · impenetrable · unfathomable · abstruse · arcane
- confused feelingsconfused, puzzled, baffled, mystified, stumped
- confusionconfusion, confused, bewilderment, baffled, bafflement
- emotionsjoy, anger, fear, sadness, love
- astonishmentamazement, awe, wonder, wonderstruck, awestruck
- indecisionindecision, indecisiveness, conflicted, hesitation, indecisive
- misunderstandingsmisunderstanding, misinterpretation, misconception, misreading, miscommunication
perplexedenlightened
Possessing profound insight
clear · understanding · comprehending · unbaffled · unconfused
perplexedcomposed
Calm and self-possessed
untroubled · unfazed · undaunted · unperturbed · serene
perplex, perplexing, perplexity, perplexes, perplexedly, perplexities