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
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
And my parents are even baffled.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
Naturally, Owens made an appointment with her dentist, who was just as baffled.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
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
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
Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2025
She was baffled by his sudden enterprise.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Earlier this year a dog in Boise, Idaho, baffled the internet by suddenly walking again after paralysis.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
And suddenly, Glenn and the Jets headed to halftime without running a play in the nearly 40 seconds at their disposal, a move that baffled both their loyalists in New Jersey and the Broncos’ sideline across the pond.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
What started as a tense visit quickly escalated into a situation that left the whole family baffled and frustrated.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Many creators were baffled at the inclusion of YouTube in the regulations, especially since Inman Grant acknowledges teens can still access the content without having an account, and there’s plenty to see without logging in.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Chastain, meanwhile, is the disruptor who stomped onto the scene in 2022 and surprised everyone — slamming contenders on the track, throwing punches off of it, riding walls into glory that baffled his competitors but simultaneously captured the collective race fan’s imagination.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2025
But the rhetoric has baffled Democrats, who see ER payments as effective and noncontroversial and are unwilling to disavow it.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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
And my parents are even baffled.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
Naturally, Owens made an appointment with her dentist, who was just as baffled.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
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
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
Verb
He was baffled as if there does not appear to be any point of access for an animal the size of a ground hog.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2025
She was baffled by his sudden enterprise.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Earlier this year a dog in Boise, Idaho, baffled the internet by suddenly walking again after paralysis.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
And suddenly, Glenn and the Jets headed to halftime without running a play in the nearly 40 seconds at their disposal, a move that baffled both their loyalists in New Jersey and the Broncos’ sideline across the pond.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
What started as a tense visit quickly escalated into a situation that left the whole family baffled and frustrated.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Many creators were baffled at the inclusion of YouTube in the regulations, especially since Inman Grant acknowledges teens can still access the content without having an account, and there’s plenty to see without logging in.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Chastain, meanwhile, is the disruptor who stomped onto the scene in 2022 and surprised everyone — slamming contenders on the track, throwing punches off of it, riding walls into glory that baffled his competitors but simultaneously captured the collective race fan’s imagination.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2025
But the rhetoric has baffled Democrats, who see ER payments as effective and noncontroversial and are unwilling to disavow it.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffled
Adjective
-
As Markovic corrected himself, taking back the goal, the cameras cut to the Panthers' head coach Paul Maurice, who was visibly perplexed at the scenario as Devils fans cheered in the background.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
One strange phenomenon that has perplexed mathematicians for decades is that, even when friction is minimal, that steady train of gently rolling waves still eventually falls apart and becomes irregular.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That can impact on squad unity, with individuals frustrated by their lack of chances.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Smith’s next point is what ticked off Barkley, who was visibly frustrated at the desk.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Actors’ Equity membership puzzled me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Investigators say they are puzzled why the culprits left behind the colossal, 140-carat Regent diamond, which has been valued at $60 million.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The scene where ‘80s teen Marty McFly borrows a scooter from a bewildered ‘50s kid and breaks off the handles to make a skateboard is one of the film’s most iconic moments.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Small wonder the performers emerged bewildered.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Scalability is also hampered by using hazardous, non-recyclable solvents in many processes.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Laboratory testing capacities at the CDC and expert guidance to analyze local trends may also be hampered during the shutdown, experts say.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One of the higher-ups felt my title Stairway to Heaven would be confused with the 1939 movie of the same name.—
Cameron Crowe,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Netflix’s co-CEOs then confused Wall Street by not slamming the door on a possible bid.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffled. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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