perplex — to cause someone to feel completely baffled or confused
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to cause someone to feel completely baffled or confused
Pronunciation (IPA): /pərˈpleks/
Example Sentences
- The cat's ability to open doors perplexed the entire family.
- Students were perplexed by the professor's riddle-like lecture.
- Why my socks disappear in the washing machine continues to perplex me.
perplex
VERB[/pərˈpleks/]
to cause someone to feel completely baffled or confused
Six identical doors perplexed the visitors.
The difficult puzzle perplexed even the smartest students. (❓ Confusion + 🤔 Cannot Figure Out → Perplex)
The complex problem perplexed the students until the teacher explained the next step.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'perplexus', the past participle of 'perplexare', meaning 'to twist or entangle'. The prefix 'per-' means 'thoroughly' and 'plexus' relates to 'plectere' meaning 'to braid or weave'.
Breakdown
per- (thoroughly) + plex (interwoven, entangled, from Latin plectere meaning to weave) = perplex (to thoroughly entangle or confuse mentally)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The cat's ability to open doors perplexed the entire family.”
“Students were perplexed by the professor's riddle-like lecture.”
“Why my socks disappear in the washing machine continues to perplex me.”
“The mystery novel's ending perplexed readers worldwide.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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