baffle 1 of 2

baffle

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb baffle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of baffle are balk, foil, frustrate, and thwart. While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When would balk be a good substitute for baffle?

While in some cases nearly identical to baffle, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

When can foil be used instead of baffle?

Although the words foil and baffle have much in common, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

Where would frustrate be a reasonable alternative to baffle?

The synonyms frustrate and baffle are sometimes interchangeable, but frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

frustrated attempts at government reform

When is thwart a more appropriate choice than baffle?

The words thwart and baffle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of baffle
Verb
There was debris on a plastic baffle plate inside the ice machine. Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025 The 3-inch down topper has a 750-fill power which is distributed evenly with a three-dimensional baffle box stitching and encased in a cotton sateen shell. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
That’s baffling to me that it was even checked. Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025 Willis, a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker who starred for the San Francisco 49ers, was baffled by Jerry Jones sending Parsons to Green Bay. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for baffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffle
Verb
  • Ciccone was frustrated to find research was largely focused on boys.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • It’s left supporters on Capitol Hill delighted, frustrated, or wondering what’s next.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For nearly 20 years, astronomers have been perplexed by the strange disk of dust and debris circling Fomalhaut, a bright star just 25 light-years from Earth.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Many historians have been perplexed by how such a seemingly simple man as Shakespeare could have written works of such grandeur and depth.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Frame eyelets for mounting racks and fenders are certainly a desirable feature, although their absence isn't necessarily a dealbreaker.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Wing-like daytime running lights run from the fenders inboard above slim headlights.
    Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • And aren’t our real-life romantic complications bewildering enough?
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Its ginormous investments in higher-value, tech-heavy sectors from smartphones to autos to semiconductors to biotechnology are disrupting the global landscape at bewildering speed.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Adek Berry | Afp | Getty Images China's consumer prices fell more than expected in August while deflation in wholesale prices persisted, as calls mounted for Beijing to ramp up measures to bolster sluggish domestic demand and cushion weakening exports growth.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Woven from a rush straw cattail blend, these two round floor cushions will fulfill any, and all, desires to incorporate more natural materials into your design.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Yes, God confuses the language and scatters everyone, thereby creating linguistic and cultural diversity.
    John Fugelsang September 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
  • At one point, O’Steen was confused by a question, and the resulting back-and-forth was reminiscent of an Abbott and Costello repartee.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The debut demonstrated how Wall Street is becoming more welcoming of bumper fintech listings.
    Ryan Browne, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The image revealed the car brutally smashed up, missing its right headlight and with its bumper hanging off.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • When Amy Astley became editor-in-chief of Architectural Digest in 2016, many in the design world were puzzled.
    Jane Hanson, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Staying away from puzzling lines like this is typically the best move.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Baffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffle. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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