Synonyms for perplexing
per·plex·ing

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. perplexing

   Equivocal (Latin equus, equal, and vox, voice, word) denotes that which may equally well be understood in either of two or more ways. Ambiguous (Latin ambi, around, and ago, drive, lead) signifies lacking in distinctness or certainty, obscure or doubtful through indefiniteness of expression. Ambiguous is applied only to spoken or written statements; equivocal has other applications. A statement is ambiguous when it leaves the mind of the reader or hearer to fluctuate between two meanings, which would fit the language equally well; it is equivocal when it would naturally be understood in one way, but is capable of a different interpretation; an equivocal expression is, as a rule, intentionally deceptive, while an ambiguous utterance may be simply the result of a want either of clear thought or of adequate expression. That which is enigmatical must be guessed like a riddle; a statement may be purposely made enigmatical in order to provoke thought and study. That is doubtful which is fairly open to doubt; that is dubious which has become the subject of doubts so grave as scarcely to fall short of condemnation; as, a dubious reputation. Questionable may be used nearly in the sense either of dubious or of doubtful; a questionable statement is one that must be proved before it can be accepted. To say that one's honesty is questionable is a mild way of saying that in the opinion of the speaker he is likely to prove dishonest. Equivocal is sometimes, tho more rarely, used in this sense. A suspicious character gives manifest reason to be suspected; a suspicious temper is inclined to suspect the motives and intentions of others, with or without reason. Compare CLEAR.

   Synonyms:
   ambiguous, doubtful, dubious, enigmatic, enigmatical, equivocal, indefinite, indeterminate, indistinct, obscure, questionable, suspicious, uncertain

   Antonyms:
   certain, clear, distinct, evident, indisputable, indubitable, lucid, manifest, obvious, perspicuous, plain, unambiguous, unequivocal, unquestionable, unquestioned

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. confusing, perplexing, puzzlingadjective

   lacking clarity of meaning; causing confusion or perplexity

   "sent confusing signals to Iraq"; "perplexing to someone who knew nothing about it"; "a puzzling statement"

   Synonyms:
   puzzling, confusing, enigmatical, enigmatic

   Antonyms:
   clear

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. perplexingadjective

   Synonyms:
   troublesome, puzzling, embarrassing, bewildering, confusing

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. perplexingadjective

   Synonyms:
   bewildering, confusing, carking, mystifying, puzzling

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "perplexing":

   disconcerting, puzzling, baffling, confusing, astonishing, incomprehensible

How to pronounce perplexing?

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How to use perplexing in a sentence?

1. Anil Bhardwaj:

   This is a bit perplexing. The feedback we are getting on the ground is not as positive. SMEs are not getting the orders, there is an improvement in business sentiment, in the environment, but unfortunately there is no movement on the ground.

2. Jon Rahm:

   I was so f---ing sure the first time, that is very, very perplexing.

3. Jeff Navin:

   The administration talks a really good game about using U.S. technology to help further its geopolitical goals, and also about the speed at which it’s necessary to move to solve climate change, but their inability to move this very basic process forward over this long of a time frame is perplexing.

4. Chong Ja Ian:

   By all accounts, the Chinese leadership was looking forward to having direct talks with Blinken … it would be very plausible that( Chinese leader Xi Jinping) would want to make sure everything was smooth in the lead up to the visit, that this would happen is perplexing and strange.

5. Michael McCarthy:

   It's a bit perplexing given the overnight action in oil prices.