baffling

adjective

baf·​fling ˈba-f(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce baffling (audio)
: extremely confusing or difficult to understand
a baffling decision
found the directions utterly baffling
bafflingly adverb
a bafflingly complex explanation

Examples of baffling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The move is even more baffling given that Pluma represents the bigger música Mexicana movement, which had unmatched commercial and cultural momentum in 2023. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2023 However, some of the most baffling stories are those of human disappearances. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 8 Aug. 2023 This means having to face some utterly baffling narrative turns along the way. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2023 This observation should have been baffling: Volcanism requires an internal heat source, and Io, like the other icy moons, should have been nothing more than embers. Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2023 The absence of any female artists in the lineup is baffling — and inexcusable. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2023 For Secret Service agents and officers as well as residential staff, the president’s failure to take decisive action sooner has been baffling and frustrating, people close to them say. Peter Baker, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023 Meanwhile, the Pixel Watch had some baffling health tracking omissions despite being powered by Fitbit’s platform. Victoria Song, The Verge, 21 Aug. 2023 But for right-wing commenters and influencers, his baffling disappearance is only further proof that the country’s top law enforcement agency is to blame for acts of domestic terror. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baffling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of baffling was in 1783

Dictionary Entries Near baffling

Cite this Entry

“Baffling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baffling. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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