Definitions Related words Mentions Lyrics History Colors (New!)

Literary notes about Perplexity (AI summary)

The term perplexity in literature often conveys a rich blend of emotional confusion and cognitive disarray, capturing moments when characters are left puzzled or overwhelmed by circumstance. Authors use it to reflect internal conflicts and the sudden emergence of uncertainty—sometimes as a reaction to carelessness or chaotic events, as seen when historical confusion is lamented [1] or when a character's emotional turmoil manifests in a fleeting, troubled look [2]. In narrative dialogue and description alike, perplexity encapsulates both passive bewilderment and the internal struggle to understand or engage with the world, evident in instances of gentle, almost resigned uncertainty [3] and reflective doubt over complex ideas [4]. This versatility in meaning allows perplexity to serve as a powerful literary device, articulating the multifaceted experience of human bewilderment in the face of life’s unpredictable challenges.
  1. Note 32 ( return ) [ The carelessness of the writers of that age, leaves us in a singular perplexity.
    — from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
  2. She was haunted by his air of astonished perplexity.
    — from The Country of the Blind, and Other Stories by H. G. Wells
  3. Job Trotter relieved his perplexity; for, with a humble and grateful bow to Mr. Pickwick, he took his friend gently by the arm, and led him away.
    — from The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
  4. Summary Origin and stimulus We may recapitulate by saying that the origin of thinking is some perplexity, confusion, or doubt.
    — from How We Think by John Dewey

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, BlueSky


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Threepeat Redux