as in perplexed
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do
baffled viewers didn't know what to make of the strange antics of the talk show host
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in frustrated
to prevent from achieving a goal
the language barrier baffled everyone and discouraged us from attempting another teleconference
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in puzzled
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of baffled
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Dec. 2025
Looking aghast, Kylie couldn’t help but go silent with a baffled expression for several seconds.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
Thousands of commenters responded with laughter, surprise, and sympathy for the dog’s baffled expression.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … YOUTH CHAOS – Sports reporter ambushed on air as bizarre teen trend leaves adults baffled.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite Banks’ enthusiasm, commenters were left baffled.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
The clear stance that the club has spent every available penny of their PSR allowance left many baffled, but the club’s accounts over the coming years will reveal all.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
And my parents are even baffled.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
Scientific experts who constantly monitor the Earth's rotation seem a bit baffled and amused that a few slightly more-speedy-than-normal spins this summer have captured the public's imagination.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 22 July 2025
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
The team behind the shock discovery (in more ways than one) is baffled by this beautiful arc of material, which defies expectations and current theories surrounding such stellar remains.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.
—Arthur Allen, NPR, 9 Jan. 2026
Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.
—Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
At a vigil for the two on Sunday night, friends and family were baffled by the killing, the Allentown Morning Call reported.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
Scientists are also baffled by how the planet could have formed at all.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
His debut collection in September received positive reviews from retailers for his colorful and audacious designs but left many observers baffled at the same time.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 17 Dec. 2025
Seven years earlier, Geary portrayed Meathead's friend Roger, who baffled star Carroll O'Connor's character, infamous bigot Archie Bunker.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Why cells grow to just the right size has long baffled scientists.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Dec. 2025
Looking aghast, Kylie couldn’t help but go silent with a baffled expression for several seconds.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
Thousands of commenters responded with laughter, surprise, and sympathy for the dog’s baffled expression.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … YOUTH CHAOS – Sports reporter ambushed on air as bizarre teen trend leaves adults baffled.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite Banks’ enthusiasm, commenters were left baffled.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
The clear stance that the club has spent every available penny of their PSR allowance left many baffled, but the club’s accounts over the coming years will reveal all.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
And my parents are even baffled.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
Scientific experts who constantly monitor the Earth's rotation seem a bit baffled and amused that a few slightly more-speedy-than-normal spins this summer have captured the public's imagination.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 22 July 2025
Verb
One thing that baffled me a little were the flashbacks.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
The team behind the shock discovery (in more ways than one) is baffled by this beautiful arc of material, which defies expectations and current theories surrounding such stellar remains.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.
—Arthur Allen, NPR, 9 Jan. 2026
Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.
—Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
At a vigil for the two on Sunday night, friends and family were baffled by the killing, the Allentown Morning Call reported.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
Scientists are also baffled by how the planet could have formed at all.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
His debut collection in September received positive reviews from retailers for his colorful and audacious designs but left many observers baffled at the same time.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 17 Dec. 2025
Seven years earlier, Geary portrayed Meathead's friend Roger, who baffled star Carroll O'Connor's character, infamous bigot Archie Bunker.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffled
Adjective
-
Those late audits have caused ongoing comments by engaged residents who are perplexed that year after year the town’s government is not able to provide the same audit the state’s other 168 municipalities complete and submit to the public and the state’s budget office.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Pittman seemed perplexed as to what caused the seemingly uninspired performance.—
Erick Taylor,
Arkansas Online,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Fans were frustrated, and a growing number were opting to stay home rather than attend key late November/December games at M&T Bank Stadium, with an AFC North title still within the Ravens’ reach.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
-
But while Coogan racked up millions of views for his YouTube explainers about political figures like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, he was frustrated by the hours of prep work that went into producing a single episode.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Although puzzled, Aisha answered honestly.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Like his wife, Moore was puzzled when their friend didn’t show up to eat dinner.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The movie took liberties, but White's fight for Stuart to be a mouse-like boy is an important part of his history, even if some are bewildered by it.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
13 Dec. 2025
-
Uma is bewildered at this new world, while Gopal can’t so much as look at her.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Sam Leavitt, who starred at Arizona State the past two seasons and led the Sun Devils to a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024 before injuries hampered him this year, has committed to the LSU Tigers, according to multiple reports Monday.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Injuries have hampered the offensive line, and quarterback Jalen Hurts has at times appeared tentative rather than the aggressive passer and scrambler that helped lead the Eagles to victory in the Super Bowl.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sassounian, for his part, doesn’t think there’s any risk the two California Couriers would ever be confused with each other.—
Colin Lecher,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Many of the event’s attendees were confused about — or ignorant of — what had occurred on the other side of the court house.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Watching the comments together, Sadie initially felt embarrassed by the caption noting she’s never made a basket.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The ugly Team defense is a misnomer The following statistic should leave the Ducks thoroughly embarrassed.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffled. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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