Definition of baffle
baffled
;baffling
play \-f(ə-)liŋ\transitive verb
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 2baffle) baffle the steam
From the M-W Editors
Examples of baffle in a Sentence
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 of baffle from the Web
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When Trump fired acting attorney general Sally Yates for directing U.S. attorneys not to defend the travel ban, Veselnitskaya was baffled.
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Even established migrants are sometimes baffled by the British system.
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THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch play father-and-son coroners baffled by a young female homicide victim with no ID and some baffling clues — who then disappears.
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THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch play father-and-son coroners baffled by a young female homicide victim with no ID and some baffling clues — who then disappears.
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As such, Canadians are baffled and fascinated by American politics.
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The disrespect of these girls to not even reach out to me or anyone connected to the estate baffles me.
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The Knicks won only 80 games in Jackson’s three years at the helm, and his tenure was littered with baffling decision after baffling decision.
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Conflicting information about healthy and unhealthy sources of fat continues to baffle Americans.
These 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.
Origin and Etymology of baffle
probably alteration of Middle English (Scots) bawchillen to denounce, discredit publicly
Synonym Discussion of baffle
baffle
Definition of baffle
: a device (such as a plate, wall, or screen) to deflect, check, or regulate flow or passage (as of a fluid, light, or sound)
Origin and Etymology of baffle
noun derivative of 1baffle
Other Audio Recording Terms
BAFFLE Defined for English Language Learners
baffle
playDefinition of baffle for English Language Learners
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: to confuse (someone) completely
baffle
Definition of baffle for English Language Learners
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: a device (such as a wall or screen) that is used to control the flow of something (such as a fluid, light, or sound)
BAFFLE Defined for Kids
baffle
playDefinition of baffle for Students
baffled
;baffling
\ˈba-fə-liŋ, ˈba-fliŋ\: to completely confuse The instructions baffled us.
baffled
adjectiveLearn More about baffle
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See words that rhyme with baffle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for baffle Spanish Central: Translation of baffle Nglish: Translation of baffle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of baffle for Arabic speakers
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