perplexedly
perplexedly — adverb
1. with an expression, tone, or action that shows you do not understand something a
with an expression, tone, or action that shows you do not understand something and are trying to make sense of it
Benjamin stared perplexedly at the error message flashing on his laptop.
verb collocation: stare perplexedly at [something]
Elena blinked perplexedly when the museum guide described the ancient vase as a modern copy.
The gate was locked just five minutes ago, Renata said perplexedly, jiggling the handle.
Tanvi looked perplexedly at the handwritten map, which seemed to lead straight into the lake.
- confusedly
more general and slightly more common in everyday use; lacks the nuance of being genuinely unable to solve a puzzle
- bewilderedly
implies a stronger sense of disorientation or shock, not just cognitive confusion
- puzzledly
milder in tone; suggests quiet, thoughtful confusion rather than visible frustration
- knowingly
describes someone who clearly understands what is happening
- confidently
describes action taken with certainty, the opposite of hesitant confusion
用法筆記
Tends to appear in narrative writing more than everyday speech; a simpler alternative in conversation is 'in a confused way' or 'looking confused.'