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
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
The Tensor series uses a double layer of reflective film insulation, with a baffled air chamber design, which helps keep it quiet.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 22 May 2025
Delap’s cannon shoulders struck fear into a baffled division, like a medieval army who looked across the battlefield and realised that the opposing forces had technology far beyond theirs.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Kind, baffled but game, gets roped into the dada humor.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
Chasing perfection this offseason required Webb to tweak the pitch that, ironically, most baffled hitters.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Surrounding the headliners are grumpy arena security, who spend the night wearing baffled expressions watching a sea of adults cheer and laugh and applaud over imaginary characters engaged in battles no one can actually see, and rolls of acrylic dice just 16 millimeters in size.
—Eric Francisco, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025
Now, a development that once baffled educators and administrators is ready to go mainstream.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2024
Other stories explore similar themes in equally bizarre situations: In 1880s London, a very suave Joseph Merrick, aka The Elephant Man, flirts shamelessly with the smitten wife of his very baffled doctor (Goldsberry and Kind, respectively).
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Fans, of course, remain baffled and angry and depressed over the lack of any visible progress on Martin’s sixth A Song Of Ice And Fire novel, The Winds Of Winter.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
The Tensor series uses a double layer of reflective film insulation, with a baffled air chamber design, which helps keep it quiet.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 22 May 2025
Delap’s cannon shoulders struck fear into a baffled division, like a medieval army who looked across the battlefield and realised that the opposing forces had technology far beyond theirs.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Kind, baffled but game, gets roped into the dada humor.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
Chasing perfection this offseason required Webb to tweak the pitch that, ironically, most baffled hitters.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Surrounding the headliners are grumpy arena security, who spend the night wearing baffled expressions watching a sea of adults cheer and laugh and applaud over imaginary characters engaged in battles no one can actually see, and rolls of acrylic dice just 16 millimeters in size.
—Eric Francisco, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025
Now, a development that once baffled educators and administrators is ready to go mainstream.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2024
Other stories explore similar themes in equally bizarre situations: In 1880s London, a very suave Joseph Merrick, aka The Elephant Man, flirts shamelessly with the smitten wife of his very baffled doctor (Goldsberry and Kind, respectively).
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffled
Adjective
-
The trade stunned the sport, perplexed rival executives and devastated Bostonians.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
-
But 100 days into the second Trump administration, those leaders are perplexed and concerned.—
Marc Lynch,
Foreign Affairs,
12 May 2025
Verb
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The outspoken owner wants to win and seems to be frustrated at the state of his team.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Showing up to the Walz event was May Dehaan’s way of trying to get Nunn to notice that his constituents are frustrated.—
HANNAH FINGERHUT,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There were also problems connecting to the internet and to phone networks, leaving many bewildered and unable to obtain information.—
Catherine Porter,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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Tornado is a bewildered Japanese girl (played by pop singer Kôki) who fights off a horde of white men, thieving gold vagabonds who represent both Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Celtic ancestry.—
Armond White,
National Review,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Many people get confused by these forms which contain code and jargon that rarely offer a clear explanation of anything.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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Not to be confused with DEI training, skill building is a way to help people improve their communication skills, negotiation style and overall understanding of relevant topics, all while leveling up professionally.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes,
21 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Baffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffled. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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