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
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026
Not outraged but baffled, curious Kaho tries to find out his hidden message.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Scientist can’t be blamed for not recognizing the fleshy glob, because Relicanthus daphneae baffled experts for decades, the American Museum of Natural History reports.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
What’s more, the legislation has no clear path to getting a vote on the House floor, which has left some of its backers even more baffled by the pushback.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026
One outcome — perhaps, a five-point plan While Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and others are actively pursuing diplomacy, Iran and Israel are not interested, and the United States appears baffled and unsteady.
—Daniel Kurtzer, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
One of the best examples of that is phantom limb pain, which for a long time baffled people.
—Margaret Cirino, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
But some children—Hazel, Evan, and, of course, Jude—baffled Lilian.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Emotional rollercoasters for baffled European allies.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
During our overnight coverage on CNN, Jim Sciutto pointed out that people watching in other countries are baffled by this American attribute.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Captain Sidney Crosby was similarly baffled.
—CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The hosts are baffled and intrigued.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Perry says that the label wanted to call the record 4 Non Blondes, which baffled her.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
The Brotherly Bultema Battery of junior pitcher Maddux and sophomore catcher Nolan had the South Lake hitters baffled.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
Some investors were baffled why an ailing shoe brand got so much attention in the first place.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026
The museum complied, but staff were reportedly baffled.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Glaser, no doubt like many viewers, seemed a little baffled when the Swift songs dried up, and Idol had to pad out the rest of the episode with songs themed around California.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026
Not outraged but baffled, curious Kaho tries to find out his hidden message.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Scientist can’t be blamed for not recognizing the fleshy glob, because Relicanthus daphneae baffled experts for decades, the American Museum of Natural History reports.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
What’s more, the legislation has no clear path to getting a vote on the House floor, which has left some of its backers even more baffled by the pushback.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026
One outcome — perhaps, a five-point plan While Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and others are actively pursuing diplomacy, Iran and Israel are not interested, and the United States appears baffled and unsteady.
—Daniel Kurtzer, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
One of the best examples of that is phantom limb pain, which for a long time baffled people.
—Margaret Cirino, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
But some children—Hazel, Evan, and, of course, Jude—baffled Lilian.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Emotional rollercoasters for baffled European allies.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
His gift is an uncanny ability to solve crimes that leave the LAPD baffled, armed only with the savvy and dry humor reminiscent of the gumshoe detectives of the noir genre.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
During our overnight coverage on CNN, Jim Sciutto pointed out that people watching in other countries are baffled by this American attribute.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Captain Sidney Crosby was similarly baffled.
—CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The hosts are baffled and intrigued.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Perry says that the label wanted to call the record 4 Non Blondes, which baffled her.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
The Brotherly Bultema Battery of junior pitcher Maddux and sophomore catcher Nolan had the South Lake hitters baffled.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
Some investors were baffled why an ailing shoe brand got so much attention in the first place.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026
The museum complied, but staff were reportedly baffled.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffled
Adjective
-
Some observers are perplexed as to why a serious adult drama is attracting the level of fan scrutiny usually reserved for genre material.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Travelers who happen by the small town of Ida Grove, Iowa, about 100 miles north of Omaha, might be intrigued (and a little perplexed) by the castle-like structures that sprang from the vision of Byron Godbersen, founder of Midwest Industries.—
Jacqueline Kehoe,
Midwest Living,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Although he will get booed whenever the Cubs return to his hometown to face the Milwaukee Brewers, his body of work there (707-625) helped set a solid foundation for the small-market franchise that has continually frustrated its big-city rival.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The letter was about a 50-year-old who was frustrated that a 70-year-old friend didn’t pick up the phone when called.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As Kate headed for her car, Emily just stood there, looking puzzled.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
However, when hunting for the best thyme varieties to grow in your kitchen garden, you might be puzzled by their diverse names.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Everyone was so relieved to see how bewildered everyone else was that the feeling in this place was almost festive.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Numerous cryptocurrency novices become bewildered by intricate decals and fluctuating percentages.—
Malana VanTyler,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The court issued a ruling that limits consideration of race in drawing voting maps — potentially a boon for Republicans, who have been hampered by the civil rights law in their attempt to redraw maps in Louisiana, Alabama and other states.—
Matthew Choi,
Washington Post,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Connor McDavid looked ordinary at best, clearly hampered by his injury.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But when an audition for the sixth film came through, he was initially confused by the prospect of rejoining a franchise in which his character had already died.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
2 May 2026
-
Not to be confused with German tiny camper van builder Alpincamper, Switzerland's Alpencamper is a small upstart dedicated to bicycle camping trailers.—
C.C. Weiss
May 01,
New Atlas,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Everyone in the theater clammed up, as if embarrassed to have endorsed Max with laughter.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Guys were embarrassed about our performance, especially at home.—
Stephen Conroy,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffled. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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