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
Internally, the Bulls coaching staff has reached a point of bafflement with the forward.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
But public criticism, questions and bafflement have surrounded the decision to set out from the huts at Frog Lake in the middle of the season’s fiercest storm.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 Feb. 2026
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
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
But public criticism, questions and bafflement have surrounded the decision to set out from the huts at Frog Lake in the middle of the season’s fiercest storm.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bafflement
Noun
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Little ones who came out of the casket viewing with their parents wore expressions of confusion and shock after witnessing eight bodies that didn’t look so different from their own.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
-
Online reactions to the incident ranged from confusion to humor.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The emotional fog begins to lift while feelings of hesitation fade away.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
Noun
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Not so for Siri Hustvedt, whose shattering and beautiful new memoir mirrors, in fragmented structure, the broken bewilderment of grief.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Mac Wilkins stepped into the discus ring that afternoon in a state of bewilderment.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The first weeks were a roller coaster of pleasure and perplexity.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
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Oklo exemplifies both the promise and the perplexity associated with the rebirth of nuclear power.—
Bob Woods,
CNBC,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bafflement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bafflement. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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