1
as in frustrates
to prevent from achieving a goal
the language barrier baffled everyone and discouraged us from attempting another teleconference
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in perplexes
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 baffles
Kelly Bastone, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
That said, the Recording Academy never goes too long without making a choice that baffles everybody, as when Jon Batiste beat Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift in 2022.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Place baffles at the eaves to maintain a clear path for the airflow from the soffit vents.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Take the quiz here … DUGOUT SECRETS – Mysterious wooden canoe found after Hurricane Ian still baffles experts three years later.
—FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
One case that still baffles is the macabre story of Virginia McCullough, who killed her parents for their money – and then lived with their bodies for four years.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
Patagonia’s proprietary synthetic fill imitates down’s structure by spinning air-trapping microfilaments around a central fiber and requires fewer stabilizing seams and baffles than down.
—Kelly Bastone, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
That said, the Recording Academy never goes too long without making a choice that baffles everybody, as when Jon Batiste beat Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift in 2022.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Place baffles at the eaves to maintain a clear path for the airflow from the soffit vents.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Take the quiz here … DUGOUT SECRETS – Mysterious wooden canoe found after Hurricane Ian still baffles experts three years later.
—FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
One case that still baffles is the macabre story of Virginia McCullough, who killed her parents for their money – and then lived with their bodies for four years.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffles
Verb
-
Usually the offseason frustrates me.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Made almost entirely from screen recordings and captures, Their Eyes frustrates the viewer’s desire to see beyond the digital interface.—
Farren Fei Yuan,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The complaint argues that Harvard’s failure to provide records violates a material term of its federal financial assistance and hampers the government’s ability to complete its review.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Nandi is experiencing severe insomnia, tremors and psychosis, and her quickly deteriorating condition bewilders the emergency room staff.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The designs were puckish and gender-bending, evoking both awe and repulsion—the sort of clothing that titillates lovers of conceptual fashion and bewilders the uninitiated.—
Ana Karina Zatarain,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Spray stains on your couch cushions or foam with an enzymatic cleaner that is designed to tackle urine (pet stores often sell these).—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Crevice tools reach between cushions and around corners, while upholstery tools gently scrape and lift debris off furniture.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
No one confuses kilowatt-hours with productivity, yet no serious economy flies blind without tracking them.—
Noosheen Hashemi,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Where the Roma obscured the line between a classic grand tourer and a sports car with supercar tendencies, the Amalfi confuses things further.—
Jonny Lieberman,
Robb Report,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The bike features aluminum fenders, a bottle cage mount, and extra mounting points on the fork for carrying touring or bikepacking gear.—
Stefan Ionescu
February 13,
New Atlas,
13 Feb. 2026
-
First shown in 1947 at the Villa d’Este Gold Cup, and later at the Paris Motor Show, the Cisitalia 202 was unlike anything seen before, featuring a curvaceous shape whose hoodline was lower than the fenders.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While everyone else puzzles it over, Coe is already on his way to the multi-faith ceremony at Abbotsfield, where Mayor Jaffrey is joining other mourners to honor the 11 people killed in the assault that opened the season.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baffles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffles. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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