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
Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Emotional rollercoasters for baffled European allies.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
The world welterweight champion from San Antonio is as baffled as anyone.
—John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
Kokuho was her very first film, and the prospect of attending the Academy Awards astonished and baffled her.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
Daniels’ answer baffled the host and audience.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Kachel said Vank’s signature moment so far with the Plainsmen came in the regular season finale last season, when Vank baffled Western Nebraska Community College with eight innings of shutout ball, scattering three hits while racking up 10 strikeouts.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
Despite reading Whitney’s letter at least twice, Henry — a narcissist — seems baffled that Whitney is not more contrite.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
Yet Howe, his coaches and recruitment staff were baffled by such early criticism.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Even Proctor’s defense attorney seemed baffled by the district attorney’s office’s handling of the case.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
This disconnect, despite all appearances of a serious campaign, has left many Democrats baffled.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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
The world welterweight champion from San Antonio is as baffled as anyone.
—John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
One administrator told me that he was baffled, but that the embassy staff seemed confident that something would come of it.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
Kokuho was her very first film, and the prospect of attending the Academy Awards astonished and baffled her.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
Daniels’ answer baffled the host and audience.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Kachel said Vank’s signature moment so far with the Plainsmen came in the regular season finale last season, when Vank baffled Western Nebraska Community College with eight innings of shutout ball, scattering three hits while racking up 10 strikeouts.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
Despite reading Whitney’s letter at least twice, Henry — a narcissist — seems baffled that Whitney is not more contrite.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
Yet Howe, his coaches and recruitment staff were baffled by such early criticism.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Even Proctor’s defense attorney seemed baffled by the district attorney’s office’s handling of the case.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
This disconnect, despite all appearances of a serious campaign, has left many Democrats baffled.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffled
Adjective
-
As the recruits push through the toughest weeks of training, the narrative occasionally cuts to TV news reports of an asteroid entering Earth's atmosphere, leaving NASA utterly perplexed.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Reporters at the press conference, perplexed, asked Trump about the gap.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As a fashion enthusiast, I’ve always been frustrated with the lack of options for petite shoppers and usually resort to hemming or cuffing regular-length pants.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
-
In a move that’s frustrated some players, the turf stadiums hosting World Cup games this summer are installing grass just for that event.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Now, a growing chorus of tech leaders is singing the praises of AI as the key to solving the medical mystery that has puzzled physicians for millennia.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The poor rott just stood there with its tail tucked between its legs, puzzled.—
Andrew Norman Wilson,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The tragedy at first bewildered law enforcement in both states, as investigators were unsure why Miller traveled to Utah or why the three women were killed.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Olivier tried successfully to get the reader to understand how a gentle, pacific young man could come to kill more than a thousand people, and so capturing the tone and empathetic portrayal not only of Simo Häyhä and his colleagues but also of the often-bewildered Russian soldiers was essential.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But he has been hampered by injuries the past two seasons, missing three games in 2024 and nine last season because of a hamstring injury and broken collarbone.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The latest firings only added to concerns inside the Justice Department and FBI that counterterrorism and intelligence investigations could become hampered by a loss of national security experts, multiple sources familiar with the matter said.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Carlson clearly got confused between the arsonist and the fire brigade.—
Calev Myers,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
They are confused by all the activity.—
Via Chronicle Books,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
No doubt some were downright embarrassed.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
-
After being embarrassed 3-0 by LAFC in the season opener, Inter Miami has bounced back strongly, and accepted an invitation to visit the White House, which was still scheduled to take place on Thursday.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffled. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
