as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
his complete bafflement as to the point of the joke was in itself funny
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Recent Examples of bafflement
Its inclusion on the album has long been a cause of bafflement among Bowie fans, not least as it was originally recorded for Hunky Dory.
—
Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
The Ella McCay trend, originated by a Twitter user named Michael Roberts, began as a tribute born out of simultaneous admiration and bafflement.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Just silence and forlorn stares of players stuck in a state of bafflement and disappointment.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2025
In a new interview with GQ, the star expressed bafflement over Nicki Minaj‘s targeting her on social media — and sidestepped Kendrick Lamar‘s beef with Drake.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
There are black-and-white scenes from what appears to be a cracked Biblical drama featuring a levitating monk and, to the particular bafflement of the producer, a dancing Pulcinella.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
If the book’s prismatic structure and subjective immediacy feel baffling to encounter, that is because bafflement is the point.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
The Oregon Coast, to Gracie's constant bafflement, feels almost entirely undeveloped—the by-product, like so many atmospheric mysteries, of long-ago legislation.
—Alice Gregory, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2025
Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
The Ella McCay trend, originated by a Twitter user named Michael Roberts, began as a tribute born out of simultaneous admiration and bafflement.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Just silence and forlorn stares of players stuck in a state of bafflement and disappointment.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2025
In a new interview with GQ, the star expressed bafflement over Nicki Minaj‘s targeting her on social media — and sidestepped Kendrick Lamar‘s beef with Drake.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
There are black-and-white scenes from what appears to be a cracked Biblical drama featuring a levitating monk and, to the particular bafflement of the producer, a dancing Pulcinella.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
If the book’s prismatic structure and subjective immediacy feel baffling to encounter, that is because bafflement is the point.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
The Oregon Coast, to Gracie's constant bafflement, feels almost entirely undeveloped—the by-product, like so many atmospheric mysteries, of long-ago legislation.
—Alice Gregory, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bafflement
Noun
-
Multiple helpers can slow response during urgent scams and create confusion when fast decisions matter.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The category confusion continued this year.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Farmers week often brings out the rain, wind and fog in a place most people think of as perpetually sunny and 72.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
There is also a potential for freezing fog in North and Central Texas for Tuesday and Wednesday morning, according to NWS.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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He was gone after 18 months, expressing bewilderment over the public scrutiny of every network move.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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Still, uncertainty, bewilderment, and fear were palpable.—
Davood Moradian,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Oklo exemplifies both the promise and the perplexity associated with the rebirth of nuclear power.—
Bob Woods,
CNBC,
9 Nov. 2025
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The Eagles’ 21-17 Sunday loss to the Denver Broncos contained the perplexity that has in the past provoked fans to picket outside the NovaCare Complex’s gates.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bafflement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bafflement. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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