perplexing

USAGE SUMMARY

"perplexing" is an acceptable English word and is used frequently in writing.
You can use it when something is confusing, puzzling, or difficult to understand. For example, "The professor posed a perplexing question during the lecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the 1921 "Paradise Lost", for example, the Adam and Eve figures, with their troll-like proportions and bright blue saucer eyes, are both perplexed and perplexing.

The Economist

When confused, especially in biology, YouTube tutorials such as Crash Course explained perplexing topics like photosynthesis in the most memorable and entertaining manner.

The Guardian

I was also slightly embarrassed that the thief might find my eclectic choice in music – Mozart here, Flo-Rida there – perplexing.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is perplexing that an entirely different sort of fallibility afflicted the team at Old Trafford.

The Guardian - Sport

Today, Ajantha Mendis is perplexing batsmen with his "carrom" ball, which requires mind-boggling digital strength.

The Economist

However, when Graphic detail embraced Keynes' dictum and examined searches for "economy" in the BRIC countries over the past eight years, the results were perplexing.

The Economist

Many regard it as a symbol of national strength at a time of perplexing social changes.

The Economist

Some 40% said this would lead to a recruitment freeze and around 25% that their trust was considering redundancies.The spectre of financial famine appears perplexing at a time of financial feast.

The Economist

So many found Apple's initial pricing strategy on iTunes, its popular online music-store, perplexing.

The Economist

This isn't the first poll to have that finding, but it's still perplexing.

The Economist

FOR perhaps two years, the strength of the pound has been hurting Britain's exporters and perplexing its economists.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "perplexing", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing confusion. Providing some background information or context can help the reader understand the source of perplexity.

Common error

Avoid using "perplexing" with overly broad or undefined subjects. Instead of saying "Life is perplexing", specify which aspects of life are confusing. For example, "The ethical implications of AI are perplexing."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "perplexing" is as an adjective. It is used to describe something that causes confusion or difficulty in understanding. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, showing it modifying nouns like "task", "question", and "problem".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "perplexing" effectively describes something that causes confusion or is difficult to understand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It finds frequent application in diverse fields like news, media, formal business and science writing. When using "perplexing", clarity and context are key to ensure your readers understand the source of confusion. Closely related alternatives include "bewildering", "puzzling", and "confounding". By following these guidelines, you can use "perplexing" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bewildering

Emphasizes the feeling of being confused and disoriented.

puzzling

Highlights the quality of causing one to think or wonder.

confounding

Suggests frustration and annoyance due to the confusion caused.

mystifying

Implies an element of mystery or something beyond comprehension.

baffling

Conveys a sense of being completely unable to understand something.

incomprehensible

Indicates a lack of ability to understand something at all.

enigmatic

Suggests something that is mysterious and difficult to interpret.

obscure

Highlights a lack of clarity or explicitness.

unfathomable

Emphasizes the impossibility of fully understanding something.

impenetrable

Suggests that something is impossible to understand or get through.

FAQs

How to use "perplexing" in a sentence?

You can use "perplexing" to describe something that is confusing or difficult to understand. For instance, "The professor posed a "perplexing" question during the lecture", or "The situation became increasingly "perplexing" as more details emerged".

What can I say instead of "perplexing"?

You can use alternatives like "bewildering", "puzzling", or "confounding" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "perplexing" or "perplexed"?

"Perplexing" is an adjective describing something that causes confusion, while "perplexed" is an adjective describing someone who is confused. For example, "The problem was "perplexing"", and "He was "perplexed" by the problem".

What's the difference between "perplexing" and "mystifying"?

Both words describe something that's hard to understand, but "mystifying" often implies a deeper sense of mystery or inexplicability, whereas ""perplexing"" suggests a more straightforward type of confusion that can potentially be resolved with more information.