baffling 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of bafflingnext
as in perplexing

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baffling

2 of 3

noun

as in thwarting

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baffling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of baffle
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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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of baffling
Adjective
But, a day later, in a move many who served in law enforcement viewed as baffling, the warrant appeared to have been suddenly unsealed while the ongoing investigation into the incident was still underway. — Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 19 July 2026 The series is replete with a baffling array of alien races, almost all of which are basically humans with varying levels of prosthetic facial makeup or zany outfits. — William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 2026
Noun
Those who knew me found this baffling. — ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026 That said, the good outweighs the baffling. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
Though some of the recent playoff defeats have been baffling and call for self-evaluation within the organization, the culture has been a huge net positive overall. — Jay King, New York Times, 1 June 2026 The slow starts are baffling to Becht. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for baffling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffling
  1. perplexing
  2. thwarting
  3. frustrating
  4. puzzling
  5. confusing
  6. frustration
  7. hampering
  8. bewildering
Adjective
  • Despite a relatively long history of drive-through bans, the idea is still novel and perplexing to Californians who love their burgers and love their cars.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
  • For some, evoking death and sacrifice was perplexing and distasteful; a step too far.
    — Harry Booth, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of perplexing
Noun
  • The attack’s thwarting was an undeniable success.
    — Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Definition of thwarting
Verb
  • But Algo’s hyper-logical, computerised process of consistently picking the favourites to win was undone in the second match of the day, with Ghana frustrating England in a 0-0 draw.
    — The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Definition of frustrating
Verb
  • That made the league’s scheduling decision especially puzzling.
    — Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • This stingray is currently known from only two drainage systems, the Demerara River and the río Guanare which is… puzzling, to say the least, as these systems are not obviously connected in modern hydrology.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of puzzling
Adjective
  • Jean appears to be the first character in that reset, which is confusing because the old versions of various X-Men characters are still here.
    — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 31 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, thousands more are waiting in county jails for cases that are winding through a new, convoluted and confusing system where geography controls the rules.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of confusing
Noun
  • Big brands, which are highly sensitive to public pressure, have become an easy target for frustration.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Early today, the Pisces Moon may stir private doubts or behind-the-scenes frustration as Venus highlights work and wellness .
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustration
Verb
  • Gale-force winds were hampering aircraft from dumping water on the flames.
    — Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
  • What our clients most cited as the biggest constraints hampering development and dealmaking is approval timelines and permitting, narrowly ahead of construction costs and zoning restrictions.
    — Lee Kiser, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of hampering
Verb
  • But these casting decisions are bewildering, to say the least, and will certainly cost the film ticket sales and potential revenue.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026
  • Similarly, the defensively bewildering 9-6 loss the Wild suffered to start Round 2 in Colorado set the tone for five games that would ultimately be their undoing.
    — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 3 June 2026
Definition of bewildering

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Cite this Entry

“Baffling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffling. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on baffling

Nglish: Translation of baffling for Spanish Speakers

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