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
Relevance
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
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 baffled
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
Chasing perfection this offseason required Webb to tweak the pitch that, ironically, most baffled hitters.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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
Chasing perfection this offseason required Webb to tweak the pitch that, ironically, most baffled hitters.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffled
Adjective
-
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
-
Another surprise that has long perplexed researchers is those algorithms’ knack for their own, strange kind of creativity.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
The outspoken owner wants to win and seems to be frustrated at the state of his team.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
-
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
-
In an Instagram reel, what started as a serene cuddle session between a dog and its owner quickly became a funny surprise, leaving viewers both laughing and tearing up at the canine's bewildered reaction.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
-
Europe, broke and bewildered, will have a choice: follow suit or fade into irrelevance and bankruptcy.—
Rachel Marsden,
Hartford Courant,
27 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share