thoroughly perplexing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly perplexing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is completely confusing or difficult to understand. Example: "The instructions for the new software were thoroughly perplexing, leaving many users frustrated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It turned out to be a joyous yet thoroughly perplexing publishing experience.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

New Zealand were thoroughly perplexed.

Independent

I'll stop writing now, and maybe you are already thoroughly perplexed.

The New York Times

Mr. Freid saw enough, though, to return to his post thoroughly perplexed.

The New York Times

Alfredsson did not return to Game 2. The Rangers said in a statement that they would not appeal Hagelin's suspension but added, "We are thoroughly perplexed in the ruling's inconsistency with other supplementary discipline decisions that have been made throughout this season and during the playoffs".

The New York Times - Sports

After Shanahan suspended Carl Hagelin for three playoff games for elbowing Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson, who sustained a concussion, the Rangers released a statement: "We are thoroughly perplexed in the ruling's inconsistency with other supplementary discipline decisions that have been made throughout this season and during the playoffs".

The New York Times - Sports

There was a general air of astonishment as Vona, a 33-1 chance, finished strongly to beat Boater, the 11-8 favourine, in the Listed Marygate Fillies' Stakes, and nowhere more so than the winners' enclosure, where Richard Fahey, Vona's trainer, seemed thoroughly perplexed.

The Guardian - Sport

I've read this one over and over for the last half an hour and I'm still thoroughly perplexed by it and I've got two English degrees.

Vice

The characters — none of them named, all of them played by nimble and uninhibited performers — belong to young couples or ex-couples for whom sex remains perplexing even though it has been thoroughly demystified.

The New York Times

It's perplexing.

The New York Times

It is quite perplexing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thoroughly perplexing" to describe situations or concepts that cause significant confusion or bewilderment. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the degree of perplexity.

Common error

While "thoroughly perplexing" is acceptable, avoid overusing intensifiers like "thoroughly", "completely", or "absolutely" as it can weaken your writing. Consider if a simpler, more direct adjective would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly perplexing" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It serves to describe something that causes a high degree of confusion or bewilderment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thoroughly perplexing" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that intensifies the adjective "perplexing", indicating a high degree of confusion. While considered rare in occurrence, Ludwig AI confirms its validity for expressing bewilderment, often found in news and media contexts. Alternatives such as "utterly baffling" or "completely mystifying" offer similar meanings. When writing, remember to use "thoroughly perplexing" when you wish to emphasize a substantial level of confusion, but avoid overusing intensifiers in general to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly baffling

Emphasizes the incomprehensibility, suggesting something is completely beyond understanding.

completely mystifying

Highlights the mysterious nature of something that is difficult to grasp.

absolutely bewildering

Focuses on the disorienting effect of something confusing.

genuinely confusing

Indicates a sincere and authentic sense of confusion.

truly perplexing

A simple synonym maintaining the original structure.

deeply puzzling

Suggests that the source of confusion is profound and requires significant thought.

extremely disorienting

Highlights the sense of being lost or confused in relation to something.

remarkably enigmatic

Emphasizes the mysterious and difficult-to-interpret nature of something.

incredibly baffling

Uses a more informal intensifier to express the incomprehensibility.

wholly incomprehensible

Highlights the complete lack of understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "thoroughly perplexing" in a sentence?

You can use "thoroughly perplexing" to describe something that is extremely confusing or difficult to understand. For example, "The instructions were "thoroughly perplexing", leaving us unsure of how to proceed."

What are some alternatives to "thoroughly perplexing"?

Some alternatives include "utterly baffling", "completely mystifying", or "absolutely bewildering". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "thoroughly perplexing" in formal writing?

Yes, "thoroughly perplexing" is suitable for formal writing, although it's relatively uncommon. It conveys a strong sense of bewilderment or confusion in a clear and professional manner.

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

The word "perplexing" means confusing or puzzling. Adding "thoroughly" intensifies the meaning, indicating that something is extremely or completely confusing. It emphasizes the degree of perplexity.