baffled; baffling
ˈba-f(ə-)liŋ 
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
: a device (such as a plate, wall, or screen) to deflect, check, or regulate flow or passage (as of a fluid, light, or sound)
Synonyms
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
David Klepper, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Apr. 2024
Frightening to some, thrilling to others, baffling to many: Artificial intelligence has been called a transformative technology, a threat to democracy or even an existential risk for humanity.
—David Klepper, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
Simons is hardly the only economist baffled by how well the labor market has held up as inflation has cooled significantly, given the two typically don’t go hand in hand.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
In her replies, many users were baffled by the senator's behavior, citing First Amendment violations and false practices of Christianity.
—Brenna Gauchat, The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
Thus begins a 20-year saga, one of baffling malfeasance by the British Post Office that led to widespread suffering, with hundreds of people falsely accused of crimes.
—Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The fossil has fascinated — and baffled — scientists and the public alike.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
Military analysts are reportedly baffled by how the fundamentals of wartime principles have shifted as previous Russian, U.S. and NATO military doctrines have largely all been invalidated by the realities of drone warfare, explained the expert.
—Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 31 Mar. 2024
The rare discovery baffled the archaeologists in Belgium who found it and the company in the United Kingdom that owned it.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2024
Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024
The baffle box construction prevents shifting and ensures even distribution of warmth.
—Kayla Kitts, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024
This all-season duvet insert is filled with fluffy feather down and has a baffle box design to ensure feathers stay evenly distributed.
—Dhara Patel, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
The entry to the tunnels is also designed using tunnel baffles to help prevent hands or paws from reaching in.
—Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2023
Its baffle box design means the fluffy down stays in place to give you nice warmth and loft.
—Good Housekeeping, 7 Sep. 2023
Sleep like a baby throughout the night with the curved internal baffles that cradle your head and a scalloped bottom edge that cushions tired shoulders.
—Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2023
How to Clean a Garbage Disposal With Soap, Baking Soda and Vinegar
Use a sponge and dish soap to clean the disposal baffle and around the drain.
—Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 31 July 2023
The Sonus Faber Stradivari is thus aptly named, as its wide front baffle and sensuous form recall the hollow body of a violin.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 May 2023
Verb
Frightening to some, thrilling to others, baffling to many: Artificial intelligence has been called a transformative technology, a threat to democracy, or even an existential risk for humanity.
—David Klepper, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Apr. 2024
Frightening to some, thrilling to others, baffling to many: Artificial intelligence has been called a transformative technology, a threat to democracy or even an existential risk for humanity.
—David Klepper, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
Simons is hardly the only economist baffled by how well the labor market has held up as inflation has cooled significantly, given the two typically don’t go hand in hand.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
In her replies, many users were baffled by the senator's behavior, citing First Amendment violations and false practices of Christianity.
—Brenna Gauchat, The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
Thus begins a 20-year saga, one of baffling malfeasance by the British Post Office that led to widespread suffering, with hundreds of people falsely accused of crimes.
—Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The fossil has fascinated — and baffled — scientists and the public alike.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
Military analysts are reportedly baffled by how the fundamentals of wartime principles have shifted as previous Russian, U.S. and NATO military doctrines have largely all been invalidated by the realities of drone warfare, explained the expert.
—Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 31 Mar. 2024
The rare discovery baffled the archaeologists in Belgium who found it and the company in the United Kingdom that owned it.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2024
Noun
The sounds aren’t produced by speakers, like the those made by typical EVs, but by air pulses forced through pipes with baffles and chambers inside.
—Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024
The baffle box construction prevents shifting and ensures even distribution of warmth.
—Kayla Kitts, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024
This all-season duvet insert is filled with fluffy feather down and has a baffle box design to ensure feathers stay evenly distributed.
—Dhara Patel, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
The entry to the tunnels is also designed using tunnel baffles to help prevent hands or paws from reaching in.
—Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2023
Its baffle box design means the fluffy down stays in place to give you nice warmth and loft.
—Good Housekeeping, 7 Sep. 2023
Sleep like a baby throughout the night with the curved internal baffles that cradle your head and a scalloped bottom edge that cushions tired shoulders.
—Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2023
How to Clean a Garbage Disposal With Soap, Baking Soda and Vinegar
Use a sponge and dish soap to clean the disposal baffle and around the drain.
—Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 31 July 2023
The Sonus Faber Stradivari is thus aptly named, as its wide front baffle and sensuous form recall the hollow body of a violin.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baffle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
probably alteration of Middle English (Scots) bawchillen to denounce, discredit publicly
Noun
noun derivative of baffle entry 1
Dictionary Entries Near baffle
Cite this Entry
“Baffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baffle. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
baffle
1 of 2 verb
baf·fle
ˈbaf-əl
baffled; baffling
ˈbaf-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to defeat or check by confusing : perplex
2
: to check or break the force or flow of by or as if by a baffle
baffle
2 of 2 noun
: a device (as a wall or screen) to turn aside, check, or regulate flow (as of a fluid, light, or sound)
More from Merriam-Webster on baffle
Nglish: Translation of baffle for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of baffle for Arabic Speakers
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