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
Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 22 July 2025
And finally, a baffled daughter-in-law shared that her mother-in-law took it upon herself to write directly on their back door—with a green pen.
—Cameron Schoppa
alex Backus, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
But its favorite mood, by far, is one of mild titillation, which arises whenever something slightly out of the ordinary occurs—a ball flies into the crowd, a baffled bird pecks at the service line, a champagne cork enters the field of play—and a burr of chatter rips round the court.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 July 2025
What baffled doctors, however, was that the bone was not lodged in her throat but buried in the muscle tissue of her neck.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 3 July 2025
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
Adjective
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
And finally, a baffled daughter-in-law shared that her mother-in-law took it upon herself to write directly on their back door—with a green pen.
—Cameron Schoppa
alex Backus, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
But its favorite mood, by far, is one of mild titillation, which arises whenever something slightly out of the ordinary occurs—a ball flies into the crowd, a baffled bird pecks at the service line, a champagne cork enters the field of play—and a burr of chatter rips round the court.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 July 2025
What baffled doctors, however, was that the bone was not lodged in her throat but buried in the muscle tissue of her neck.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 3 July 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffled
Adjective
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Stitching the clip with a few seconds of footage of the parade singer’s breathless live rendition of the self-love anthem — performed in front of a gathering on the National Mall — Lizzo then cuts to a shot of herself staring pointedly at the camera, looking perplexed and disgusted.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
16 June 2025
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Advertisement Advertisement Cole Palmer looked perplexed and frustrated as Donald Trump stood in front of him, smiling and clapping, even as FIFA President Gianni Infantino could be seen unsuccessfully urging the U.S. President to move aside so as not to obstruct the team’s celebrations.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
14 July 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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Olivia, bewildered and frightened, runs to the vast body of Tierra del Fuego to look for him.—
Jason Liwag,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
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Whites, bewildered and self-righteous, would find their way to Reagan.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
8 Aug. 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 28 Aug. 2025.
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