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baf·fle | \ ˈba-fəl 
\
\baffled; baffling\ ˈba-f(ə-)liŋ \
\Definition of baffle
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to defeat or check (someone) by confusing or puzzling : to confuse or frustrate completely : disconcert Her behavior baffled her parents.
2 : to check or break the force or flow of by or as if by a baffle (see baffle entry 2)
baffle the steam
baffle
nounDefinition of baffle (Entry 2 of 2)
: a device (such as a plate, wall, or screen) to deflect, check, or regulate flow or passage (as of a fluid, light, or sound)
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Other Words from baffle
Verb
bafflement \ ˈba-fəl-mənt \ noun
\ nounbaffler \ ˈba-f(ə-)lər \ noun
\ noun
Examples of baffle in a Sentence
Verb
I was baffled by many of the scientific terms used in the article.
the language barrier baffled everyone and discouraged us from attempting another teleconference
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Kris Jenner, meanwhile, was baffled by the fact that her daughter could be chill enough to spend that much time with her ex and his current partner.
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Kaitlin Reilly, refinery29.com, "Should We Read Into Sofia Richie Unfollowing Kourtney Kardashian On Instagram?," 7 Feb. 2020 Xiaojun, the group’s main vocalist, looks baffled by the comparison but doesn’t protest.
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Elizabeth De Luna, Teen Vogue, "One Year of WayV: The Chinese Pop Group on Fanboying, Shrek, and Their Vision for the Future," 20 Jan. 2020 As the community stopped submitting tips, authorities remained baffled by the case.
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Steve Helling, PEOPLE.com, "Newborn Found Frozen to Death with Umbilical Cord Attached — and 17 Years Later, Woman Is Charged," 10 Jan. 2020 Others, like Bruno Walter, were baffled by her vindictive nature.
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Cathleen Schine, The New York Review of Books, "It Had to Be Her," 7 Jan. 2020 In contrast, some of Trump’s critics are baffled why he hasn’t been impeached already.
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Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, "Poll: Who's sticking with President Trump, through trouble and tweets? His seemingly unshakable base.," 29 Oct. 2019 Others in the administration appeared baffled by Mulvaney’s comments.
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Los Angeles Times, "‘Get over it’: Mulvaney says Trump delayed aid to prod Ukraine to investigate Democrats," 17 Oct. 2019 Kilnger’s family and friends have been baffled by his disappearance and have been vocal with messages of support and love, hoping that he will be found soon.
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oregonlive, "Searches planned for missing University of Portland student Owen Klinger," 16 Oct. 2019 People are often baffled by how beautiful, intelligent women fall in love with (and even marry) abusers.
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Kristin Shaw, Good Housekeeping, "I Used to Judge Women in Abusive Relationships — Until I Became One," 30 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun With a suppressor on the end of the muzzle, the gasses are allowed to continue to expand, but are slowed and redirected by the series of baffles and chambers, exiting the front at a much slower (and quieter) speed.
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Tyler Freel, Outdoor Life, "Why Every Hunter and Recreational Shooter Should Own a Suppressor," 9 Jan. 2020 The Klymit 20 Degree Full-Synthetic Sleeping Bag is solidly the former because of its stretch baffle construction.
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Adrienne Donica, Popular Mechanics, "The Best Sleeping Bags for Spending the Night Under the Stars," 29 Oct. 2019 Woodstoves come in two basic types: with and without a catalyst, which is a honeycomb-like baffle plated with precious metals (left in the image).
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Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "The Ultimate Guide To Cutting and Splitting Firewood," 6 Nov. 2019 To thwart them, Sanchez recommends using baffles, which are half-moons of plastic that go above a feeder.
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oregonlive, "How to put out the welcome mat for birds this winter," 29 Oct. 2019 The hole was resealed, and a metal baffle was installed to redirect any future leak away from the equipment.
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Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post, "The National Archives’ floating flood wall helped dodge disaster from epic rainfall," 11 July 2019 Non-catalytic stoves draw the woodsmoke through a series of baffles [Fig.
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Roy Berendson, Popular Mechanics, "The Ultimate Guide To Cutting and Splitting Firewood," 28 Sep. 2018 For those who are looking for pillow-top comfort instead of foam, this 3-inch bed topper is filled with two layers of 550 fill power down and feathers inside a cotton shell, while baffle box construction keeps the down clusters evenly distributed.
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Lexie Sachs, Good Housekeeping, "7 Top-Rated Mattress Toppers, According to Textile Pros," 19 Dec. 2018 Woodstoves come in two basic types: with and without a catalyst, which is a honeycomb-like baffle plated with precious metals (left in the image).
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Roy Berendson, Popular Mechanics, "The Ultimate Guide To Cutting and Splitting Firewood," 28 Sep. 2018
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'baffle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for baffle
baffle
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of baffle
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to confuse (someone) completely
baffle
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of baffle (Entry 2 of 2)
technical : a device (such as a wall or screen) that is used to control the flow of something (such as a fluid, light, or sound)
See the full definition for baffle in the English Language Learners Dictionary
baffle
verbbaf·fle | \ ˈba-fəl \
\baffled; baffling\ ˈba-fə-liŋ , ˈba-fliŋ \
Kids Definition of baffle
: to completely confuse
The instructions baffled us.
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Time Traveler for baffle
The first known use of baffle was in 1675
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