What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Perplex vs Overwhelm - What's the difference?

perplex | overwhelm |

As verbs the difference between perplex and overwhelm

is that perplex is to cause to feel baffled; to while overwhelm is to engulf, surge over and submerge.

As an adjective perplex

is (obsolete) intricate; difficult.

perplex

English

Verb

(es)
  • To cause to feel baffled; to .
  • To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated.
  • * John Locke
  • What was thought obscure, perplexed , and too hard for our weak parts, will lie open to the understanding in a fair view.
  • (obsolete) To plague; to vex; to torment.
  • (Glanvill)

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) intricate; difficult
  • (Glanvill)
    (Webster 1913)

    overwhelm

    English

    Verb

  • To engulf, surge over and submerge.
  • The dinghy was overwhelmed by the great wave.
  • To overpower, crush.
  • In December 1939 the Soviet Union attacked Finland with overwhelming force.
  • * Bible, Psalms lxxviii. 53
  • The sea overwhelmed their enemies.
  • To overpower emotionally.
  • He was overwhelmed with guilt.
    Joy overwhelmed her when she realized that she had won a million dollars.
  • To cause to surround, to cover.
  • (Papin)

    Derived terms

    * overwhelming

    See also

    * too many balls in the air