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
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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
Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
His disaffection baffles his acquaintances and pains his tubercular wife (a superb Quinn Jackson), whose doctor (Lambert Tamin) has only contempt for her husband’s agonizing.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
The lack of critical thinking right now actually baffles me.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
The move baffles health care advocates and Medicaid experts.
—Daniel Chang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Mount predator baffles and guards to the pole or tree during installation.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
The continued controversy over the Bad Bunny Super Bowl performance baffles me.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
This baffles and outrages Angela, a protective mom who, with other parents, pushes back against Gabor using her math classroom as a forum for introducing the outside world’s worst actions.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
His disaffection baffles his acquaintances and pains his tubercular wife (a superb Quinn Jackson), whose doctor (Lambert Tamin) has only contempt for her husband’s agonizing.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
The lack of critical thinking right now actually baffles me.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
The move baffles health care advocates and Medicaid experts.
—Daniel Chang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Mount predator baffles and guards to the pole or tree during installation.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
The continued controversy over the Bad Bunny Super Bowl performance baffles me.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffles
Verb
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The person at the cash register has to stop helping other customers to try and track down the booth owner, which holds up the line and frustrates everybody.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Alesia and Mike’s constant absent-mindedness frustrates Jenna and Daisy.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
-
That burden, along with the conventions of the true-crime genre, not to mention that of theater in service of a political point, sometimes hampers the interpretive space of the actors and the creative team, who have to spend a lot of their time getting the facts and the history across.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
-
Experts have come up with a sophisticated plan to use air cushions to lift the animal onto a tarp, which will be secured to two pontoons and attached to a tugboat.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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This chair’s silhouette does all the relaxing for you, with its slanted back and overstuffed cushions.—
Blake Bakkila,
Architectural Digest,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The low-performing chefs are Rhoda, whose lamb confuses the kids; Sherry, whose grits were oddly flavored; and Oscar, whose puff pastry soaked up all the deep-fryer oil.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
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Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Go somewhere that confuses your algorithm.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Faux-chrome hubcaps and brick outlines resembling fenders decorate the building’s skin; those giant gargoyles on the corners are overscale replicas of radiator-cap hood ornaments.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
27 Mar. 2026
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Those sprawling fenders clear room for taller, wider tires, including meaty 345/25/ZR 21’s in back to improve traction and cornering grip.—
Lawrence Ulrich,
Robb Report,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The lineage of these hybrids traces back to Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island, a discovery that still puzzles scientists today.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Feb. 2026
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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 23 Apr. 2026.
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