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Glite Dictionary
😕 Confusion 📊 Prediction measure
perplexity

perplexity

4 7.5
Feeling confused because something is hard to understand
  • noun
  • /pərˈplɛksɪti/
translation icon : perplejidad
  • I felt more perplexity than wonder at not comprehending the context for this expression, this defacement.
  • genuine perplexity
  • cause perplexity

So I'll close with that as a way of trying to bring out yet again the perplexity of moral or perhaps immoral luck.

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Examples

  • As Henderson went out, he glanced in perplexity from one child to the other.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • I see nothing inside except my own perplexity.

    Zardoz (1974)

  • I have been unable to resolve this entire perplexity to my satisfaction.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Julian found the solution to her perplexity in the distinction between human and divine judgment.

    Academic text (1992)

  • There was widespread expression of utter perplexity about how a parent could do such a thing.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Three months later: The perplexity augments instead of diminishing.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Theological scholars must find ways of relating the wisdom of the past to the perplexities of the present.

    Academic text (1995)

  • After struggling with the complicated math problem, I was filled with perplexity about how to solve it.

  • The teacher noticed the students' perplexity when they encountered the challenging text during the reading assignment.

  • Her perplexity grew as she tried to understand the confusing instructions for the project.

Synonyms

bewilderment
vsperplexity
12 4.8

A feeling of being very confused and not knowing what to do

is a general puzzled state caused by complexity rather than intense overwhelm
puzzlement
vsperplexity
9 5.5

A feeling of not understanding something that is hard to explain

is the usual confused state tied to complexity rather than other causes
bemusement
vsperplexity
4 7.4

A feeling of confusion when something is hard to understand

is an active confused state caused by difficulty rather than detached reaction
incomprehension
vsperplexity
4 6.9

A feeling of not being able to understand something

is a general puzzled feeling, not only the pure inability to grasp facts
bafflement
vsperplexity
3 7.0

A feeling of confusion when you cannot understand something

is the general puzzled condition focused on complexity not just difficulty
mystification
vsperplexity
3 8.1

Making things confusing so people feel puzzled

is mainly the state of being puzzled by complexity not the act of confusing
befuddlement
vsperplexity
1 8.1

A state of being confused and not able to think clearly

is a clearer puzzled state due to complex material not muddling
confusedness
vsperplexity
6.5

A feeling of not thinking or acting clearly

is the specific puzzled feeling caused by complex material rather than poor thinking

Antonyms

clarity
152 3.0

How easy it is to understand what someone says or writes

simplicity
63 1.7

Being easy to understand and not complicated

How Confused

bewilderment
12 4.8
bafflement
3 7.0
perplexity
4 7.5
confusion
389 1.8
puzzlement
9 5.5

Surface Forms

perplexity singular
perplexities plural

Morphology

perplexity = perplex (transparent) = perplex + ity

Regular nominalization of the adjective/verb 'perplex' with '-ity' yields the state of being perplexed, which is directly inferable from the base.

Etymology

Perplexity comes from Latin parts per- 'thoroughly' and plex, meaning 'to weave' or 'to fold', so the picture is of threads all twisted together. So perplexity means a state of being very confused or puzzled by something complex.