perplexes
Leaves one stumped
Perplexes is the third-person singular form of perplex, meaning to confuse or bewilder someone, often by presenting something complicated or contradictory.
When something perplexes you, it leaves you uncertain about how to think or proceed: The detective admitted the case perplexes him.
Unlike simple confusion, being perplexed often implies a puzzle that invites further thought rather than mere bewilderment.
Causes mental disarray
- bafflesPerplexes or confuses deeply
- puzzlesProblems designed to challenge
- bewildersCauses thorough confusion
- mystifiesConfuses thoroughly
befuddles · stumps · flummoxes · confounds · muddles · disorients · nonplusses · foxes
Difficulties requiring effort
- complicatesMakes more difficult
- entanglesTraps by intertwining
- riddlesPuzzling questions or teasers
- obscuresMakes difficult to perceive
convolutes · tangles · knots · snarls · muddles · clouds · veils · shrouds
confuses
Causes mental disarray
- bafflesPerplexes or confuses deeply
- puzzlesProblems designed to challenge
- bewildersCauses thorough confusion
mystifies · befuddles · stumps · flummoxes · confounds · muddles · disorients · nonplusses · foxes · bamboozles
challenges
Difficulties requiring effort
- complicatesMakes more difficult
- entanglesTraps by intertwining
- riddlesPuzzling questions or teasers
obscures · convolutes · tangles · knots · snarls · muddles · clouds · veils · shrouds · masks
frustrates
Causes annoyed disappointment
- vexesCauses annoyance or distress
- troublesDistressing difficulties
- disturbsCauses unease or interruption
unsettles · agitates · bothers · disquiets · distresses · flusters · unnerves · discomfits · ruffles · perturbs
perplexesclarifies
Makes more understandable
enlightens · explains · elucidates · illuminates · demystifies