as in perplexing
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as in thwarting
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in frustrating
to prevent from achieving a goal
the language barrier baffled everyone and discouraged us from attempting another teleconference
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of baffling
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
That Smith’s work remains little-known is all the more baffling considering the strength and depth of a retrospective now up at Keith de Lellis.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Olivia Sayer, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The pilot of a private jet reportedly made an eerie discovery while flying thousands of feet over Rhode Island, marking the latest in unexplained encounters baffling both experts and civilians alike.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for baffling
Adjective
This baffling inconsistency has challenged planetary physics and raised doubts about how scientists interpret signals from distant worlds.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
That Smith’s work remains little-known is all the more baffling considering the strength and depth of a retrospective now up at Keith de Lellis.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
That said, the good outweighs the baffling.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
Georgia basketball’s matchup with Tennessee ended in baffling fashion Wednesday night.
—Olivia Sayer, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The pilot of a private jet reportedly made an eerie discovery while flying thousands of feet over Rhode Island, marking the latest in unexplained encounters baffling both experts and civilians alike.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for baffling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffling
Adjective
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Perhaps the most perplexing part of the Nancy Guthrie investigation for the general public has been the lack of information.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
14 Apr. 2026
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But as the adorable pair get acclimated to life in the nest, they've been observed doing some perplexing – perhaps even seemingly concerning – behavior.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The thwarting of the Charlotte Hornets, one of the NBA’s fastest squads, is the quintessential White play.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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The council keeps losing court battles on issues ranging from its Voter ID law to its efforts to censor library books to its thwarting of state housing laws.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mack and the Chargers’ defense pressured quarterbacks Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, frustrating them and keeping them out of their comfort zones.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But if not selling high on Herro was a mistake, the curious commitment to Andrew Wiggins stands just as puzzling.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
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Why a complete and puzzling change in my lifelong habits?—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This entire conversation might have concluded two years ago if the voters whose support the Royals required hadn’t viewed the details as a combination of absent, confusing or shifting.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2026
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Kitura Taniaa/Tetiana Kitura/Getty Images The price of gold can be confusing to track.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Precision now saves you from rework and frustration later.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
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Towns raised his hands — calling for the ball — then dropped them in frustration.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Saudi Arabia’s crucial energy infrastructure suffered a series of strikes, hampering its oil and gas production and exports, even as crude prices climbed.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Brian Hooker reported his wife missing on Sunday, April 5, saying she had been swept away from a dingy which lost power the night before, hampering his ability to seek help.—
Cristian Benavides,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But even more than engaging the big ideas that Emma’s revelation triggers — pun somewhat intended — Lee and Borli wanted to craft an experience that would mimic its main characters’ bewildering interiority.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
6 Apr. 2026
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There aren’t many ways to earn a club’s first win better than bewildering the league’s defending champions at their place.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baffling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffling. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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