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
Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Many are somewhat baffled or turned off by the ale.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
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
Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Instead, Chan's team taught Liu how to juggle, which baffled her.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Jan. 2026
While McDermott is out, Beane was promoted to president of football operations, a move that baffled many as much as the coach’s firing.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
In August 2025, the IFA determined that Lebanon Utilities' leg of the project didn't necessitate an environmental impact statement, which baffled many on the committee who see a host of potential threats.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 20 Jan. 2026
His fastball now tops out close to triple digits, and his changeup and slider are swing-and-miss weapons that baffled low-minors competition.
—Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
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
Adjective
During the latest hearing in the case, Young repeatedly seemed baffled that the country’s top leaders would attempt to implement such a policy.
—Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Many are somewhat baffled or turned off by the ale.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
Later novels routinely took inspiration from family members or former or current lovers; the 1980 novel that baffled Frank Kermode is a dreamlike fable about a man guiltily trying to have an extramarital affair.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Instead, Chan's team taught Liu how to juggle, which baffled her.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Jan. 2026
While McDermott is out, Beane was promoted to president of football operations, a move that baffled many as much as the coach’s firing.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
In August 2025, the IFA determined that Lebanon Utilities' leg of the project didn't necessitate an environmental impact statement, which baffled many on the committee who see a host of potential threats.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 20 Jan. 2026
His fastball now tops out close to triple digits, and his changeup and slider are swing-and-miss weapons that baffled low-minors competition.
—Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffled
Adjective
-
Tom Brady was just as perplexed as the rest of the NFL world when it was learned that Bill Belichick wouldn’t be going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Fallon, slightly perplexed and towering over Williams, awaits instruction.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Gonzales-Gutierrez was among the city council members frustrated after Mayor Johnston used his authority to enter into the short-term extension and requested that the mayor's office run any future decisions on surveillance technology past the city council.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Some were frustrated that a rising tide in the stock market didn’t lift the Bitcoin boat.—
Joe Wilkins Published Jan 29,
Futurism,
29 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 usually positive Gauff went negative, lacked energy and seemed bewildered and overwhelmed.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Since his starring days at Gonzaga, Timme has earned bewildered double takes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With Frimpong sidelined, Conor Bradley out for the rest of the season with a knee injury and Joe Gomez still hampered by a hip problem, Slot has a major headache at right-back.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Medical timeout Alcaraz was as close as two points from victory in the third set but was hampered by pain in his upper right leg and his medical timeout became contentious.—
John Pye,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The show is Finding Her Edge, a new ice skating drama that should not be confused with Spinning Out, another Netflix ice skating drama that was cancelled after one season.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Judicial warrants should not be confused with administrative warrants, which are signed by immigration officers.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Harry was both ‘excited’ and ‘embarrassed’ to bring Meghan there.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Tony Adams, struggling for form and embarrassed by Blackburn’s forwards at times, was given a break by Arsene Wenger and sent to France to see a specialist fitness guru and to have some space to reset his levels.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffled. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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