1
as in frustrating
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 puzzling
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
as in perplexing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in thwarting
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of baffling
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025
Here, the end of the world seems both baffling and boring.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Where to watch Collateral: Paramount+ 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning' review: Tom Cruise's latest is baffling and awesome
Tom Cruise pays tribute to late Val Kilmer's 'Top Gun' performance
10.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025
As is frequently the case in America these days, those looking for ways to blame an act of terror on distinctly right-wing or leftist extremism will find that the truth lies in a baffling and murky middle where contrary strains of radicalism converge.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for baffling
Verb
There’s the energy and fight, which seems to have gone out of this team like an electric factory doused by a baffling power outage, and the frustration that there don’t seem to be any clear solutions, never mind quick fixes.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025
Here, the end of the world seems both baffling and boring.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Where to watch Collateral: Paramount+ 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning' review: Tom Cruise's latest is baffling and awesome
Tom Cruise pays tribute to late Val Kilmer's 'Top Gun' performance
10.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025
As is frequently the case in America these days, those looking for ways to blame an act of terror on distinctly right-wing or leftist extremism will find that the truth lies in a baffling and murky middle where contrary strains of radicalism converge.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for baffling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffling
Verb
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Researchers are particularly focused on unraveling the puzzling interplay between gas content, magma pressure and lava flow dynamics.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
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Almost two years into his ordeal, Gould learned of an initiative at the National Institutes of Health that focuses on solving the country’s most puzzling medical cases.—
Jason Liebowitz,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The growing complexity of the guidelines is all the more perplexing because the government’s overarching advice on how to eat healthier hasn’t changed that much over the past 35 years.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
23 June 2025
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Forecasters point to perplexing planetary phenomenon.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
22 June 2025
Noun
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The briefings were initially planned for earlier in the week but were postponed, to the frustration of the delegation.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2025
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And after Thursday's loss to the Astros, Kepler vented some frustrations about that managerial decision.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Unlike deterrence by punishment, which threatens consequences like economic sanctions, a strategy of denial seeks to convince an aggressor that its objectives are unobtainable, by making the likelihood of a catastrophic military defeat more credible.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
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What once seemed like a regional containment policy now shows the traits of a broader, irreverent deterrence doctrine—enabled by unconditional U.S. support.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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What’s more frustrating is that neither of the bracket’s two best overall performers will be proceeding on to the semifinals, and in hindsight, one of them — Acid Betty — really wasn’t given a chance.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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The most frustrating character on The Bear continues to be Claire (Molly Gordon), whose on-screen role in Season 3 was limited, but whose importance even as an unseen force has grown and grown.—
Linda Holmes,
NPR,
26 June 2025
Noun
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In that case, however, Anand managed to secure a checkmate after 29 days of play.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
21 May 2025
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In the second, Eze again ceded the advantage, but ruthlessly capitalised on a costly blunder with a rapid-fire checkmate to seal the win and the tournament.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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This book is his opus, one bewildering, confusing, meandering, and disorienting episodic tale after another involving reporters, runways, and casinos, back when Vegas was gloriously trashy.—
Brian Boone,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
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The judge’s tone is one of bewilderment because these circumstances are indeed bewildering, and no doubt would be to the Founding Fathers who expressly rejected monarchy and established a system of government where the citizenry would be free to express its discontent at government policies.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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What To Know The NWS National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Monday morning that satellite imagery showed disorganized showers and thunderstorms positioned east of an area of low pressure, roughly 600 miles east of Bermuda.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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Among these, schizophrenia, a complex mental health condition marked by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, stands out.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baffling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffling. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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