as in perplexed
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do
baffled viewers didn't know what to make of the strange antics of the talk show host
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in frustrated
to prevent from achieving a goal
the language barrier baffled everyone and discouraged us from attempting another teleconference
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in puzzled
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
she was baffled by the wording of the clause in the insurance policy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of baffled
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
Thousands of commenters responded with laughter, surprise, and sympathy for the dog’s baffled expression.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … YOUTH CHAOS – Sports reporter ambushed on air as bizarre teen trend leaves adults baffled.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite Banks’ enthusiasm, commenters were left baffled.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
The clear stance that the club has spent every available penny of their PSR allowance left many baffled, but the club’s accounts over the coming years will reveal all.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
And my parents are even baffled.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
Scientific experts who constantly monitor the Earth's rotation seem a bit baffled and amused that a few slightly more-speedy-than-normal spins this summer have captured the public's imagination.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 22 July 2025
But its favorite mood, by far, is one of mild titillation, which arises whenever something slightly out of the ordinary occurs—a ball flies into the crowd, a baffled bird pecks at the service line, a champagne cork enters the field of play—and a burr of chatter rips round the court.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 July 2025
Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Physicists were baffled as to why this material would suddenly stop conducting current once the tellurium content reached approximately 30 percent—a change that its basic chemical composition could not explain.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2025
Until finally, he is baffled by the very mystery of life, love, and death.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
He was baffled as if there does not appear to be any point of access for an animal the size of a ground hog.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2025
She was baffled by his sudden enterprise.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Earlier this year a dog in Boise, Idaho, baffled the internet by suddenly walking again after paralysis.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
And suddenly, Glenn and the Jets headed to halftime without running a play in the nearly 40 seconds at their disposal, a move that baffled both their loyalists in New Jersey and the Broncos’ sideline across the pond.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
What started as a tense visit quickly escalated into a situation that left the whole family baffled and frustrated.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Looking aghast, Kylie couldn’t help but go silent with a baffled expression for several seconds.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
Thousands of commenters responded with laughter, surprise, and sympathy for the dog’s baffled expression.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … YOUTH CHAOS – Sports reporter ambushed on air as bizarre teen trend leaves adults baffled.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite Banks’ enthusiasm, commenters were left baffled.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
The clear stance that the club has spent every available penny of their PSR allowance left many baffled, but the club’s accounts over the coming years will reveal all.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
And my parents are even baffled.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
Scientific experts who constantly monitor the Earth's rotation seem a bit baffled and amused that a few slightly more-speedy-than-normal spins this summer have captured the public's imagination.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 22 July 2025
But its favorite mood, by far, is one of mild titillation, which arises whenever something slightly out of the ordinary occurs—a ball flies into the crowd, a baffled bird pecks at the service line, a champagne cork enters the field of play—and a burr of chatter rips round the court.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 July 2025
Verb
Played for comic relief, he is baffled by this son of his who attends college and, more perplexing yet, is suddenly obsessed with Italy and cycling.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Physicists were baffled as to why this material would suddenly stop conducting current once the tellurium content reached approximately 30 percent—a change that its basic chemical composition could not explain.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2025
Until finally, he is baffled by the very mystery of life, love, and death.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
He was baffled as if there does not appear to be any point of access for an animal the size of a ground hog.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2025
She was baffled by his sudden enterprise.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Earlier this year a dog in Boise, Idaho, baffled the internet by suddenly walking again after paralysis.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
And suddenly, Glenn and the Jets headed to halftime without running a play in the nearly 40 seconds at their disposal, a move that baffled both their loyalists in New Jersey and the Broncos’ sideline across the pond.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
What started as a tense visit quickly escalated into a situation that left the whole family baffled and frustrated.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffled
Adjective
-
As Markovic corrected himself, taking back the goal, the cameras cut to the Panthers' head coach Paul Maurice, who was visibly perplexed at the scenario as Devils fans cheered in the background.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
One strange phenomenon that has perplexed mathematicians for decades is that, even when friction is minimal, that steady train of gently rolling waves still eventually falls apart and becomes irregular.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That can impact on squad unity, with individuals frustrated by their lack of chances.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Smith’s next point is what ticked off Barkley, who was visibly frustrated at the desk.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The conservative backlash isn’t surprising, but we were still left genuinely puzzled by the unshakable belief that a lesbian nun is as far-fetched a notion as a flying elephant.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The whole situation puzzled me-the atmosphere even seemed charged with eerie energy.—
Joel M. Vance,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Sholder appeared in the documentary and seemed more bewildered about all of this than anything else.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The canine, clearly confused, stared up, visibly bewildered and waiting patiently for the affection to finally land.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hubbard has been somewhat hampered by injury this season, missing two of his team's eight games.—
Max Dible,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Just assessing the damage could take weeks, and airport closures have hampered recovery efforts.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The lot of us, dressed in our finery, descend upon the event, bidding a quick hello to Ronson and earning some stares from the upstate locals, confused by our presence—and matching outfits.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Her daughter was confused, and eventually asked Nasser for an explanation as to what had been said.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While the person being filmed is embarrassed, the one filming walks away with a reputation and clout.—
Eli Thompson,
Rolling Stone,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The narrator and her friend seem slightly embarrassed at the possibility of being overheard—seeing the couple perhaps reminds them that Americans are not simply an idea on a page or in a newspaper headline, but actual people.—
Rhian Sasseen,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffled. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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