BAFFLE Synonyms: 145 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

baffle 1 of 2

verb

ˈba-fəl

Definition of baffle next

as in to frustrate

to prevent from achieving a goal the language barrier baffled everyone and discouraged us from attempting another teleconference

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to perplex

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty she was baffled by the wording of the clause in the insurance policy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

baffle

2 of 2

noun

as in fender

Related Words

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

How does the verb baffle differ from other similar words?

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

The decision has baffled Apatow’s team and inner circle. —

Matt Donnelly, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026 The steel pipe's unexpected growth spurt was reported to police early Wednesday by a pedestrian who saw broken pieces of asphalt falling from the cylinder, baffling people passing by and causing traffic congestion. —

CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026

Noun

The design also features a black cone 12-inch woofer, selected to complement the warm oak finish and brown grille, along with a black satin wood baffle frame and anniversary edition badging on front and rear. —

Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026 The fill is still wrapped in a cotton sateen shell, and the comforters are made with a baffle box construction to keep it all in place. —

Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for baffle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffle

Verb

Fans are entitled to want to be entertained, and to be frustrated that the European campaign has been a struggle, as well as by the problems Palace have endured when confronted by 10 men on several occasions of late.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Were there any points when reading the script that you were frustrated with her for not questioning him at all?

— Arushi Jacob, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026

Definition of frustrate

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badness

baffle

baffled

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“Baffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffle. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.

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Synonyms of baffle

verb

noun

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