BAFFLINGLY Synonyms: 380 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'baffle' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of baffle are balk , foil , frustrate , and thwart . While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling. // baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

Q: When would 'balk' be a good substitute for 'baffle'?

While in some cases nearly identical to baffle , balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances. // officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

Q: When can 'foil' be used instead of 'baffle'?

Although the words foil and baffle have much in common, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort. // foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

Q: Where would 'frustrate' be a reasonable alternative to 'baffle'?

The synonyms frustrate and baffle are sometimes interchangeable, but frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent. // frustrated attempts at government reform

Q: When is 'thwart' a more appropriate choice than 'baffle'?

The words thwart and baffle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing. // the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

Q: How does the verb 'baffle' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of baffle are balk , foil , frustrate , and thwart . While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling. // baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

Q: When would 'balk' be a good substitute for 'baffle'?

While in some cases nearly identical to baffle , balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances. // officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

Q: When can 'foil' be used instead of 'baffle'?

Although the words foil and baffle have much in common, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort. // foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

Q: Where would 'frustrate' be a reasonable alternative to 'baffle'?

The synonyms frustrate and baffle are sometimes interchangeable, but frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent. // frustrated attempts at government reform

Q: When is 'thwart' a more appropriate choice than 'baffle'?

The words thwart and baffle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing. // the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

baffle 1 of 5

verb (1)

ˈba-fəl

Definition of baffle next

as in to frustrate

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

as in to perplex

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

baffle

2 of 5

noun (1)

as in fender

Related Words

baffling

3 of 5

adjective

as in perplexing

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

baffling

4 of 5

noun (2)

as in thwarting

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

baffling

5 of 5

verb (2)

present participle of baffle

as in frustrating

to prevent from achieving a goal the language barrier baffled everyone and discouraged us from attempting another teleconference

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb baffle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of baffle are balk, foil, frustrate, and thwart. While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When would balk be a good substitute for baffle?

While in some cases nearly identical to baffle, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

When can foil be used instead of baffle?

Although the words foil and baffle have much in common, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

Where would frustrate be a reasonable alternative to baffle?

The synonyms frustrate and baffle are sometimes interchangeable, but frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

frustrated attempts at government reform

When is thwart a more appropriate choice than baffle?

The words thwart and baffle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

How does the verb baffle differ from other similar words?

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When would balk be a good substitute for baffle?

While in some cases nearly identical to baffle, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

When can foil be used instead of baffle?

Although the words foil and baffle have much in common, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

Where would frustrate be a reasonable alternative to baffle?

The synonyms frustrate and baffle are sometimes interchangeable, but frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

frustrated attempts at government reform

When is thwart a more appropriate choice than baffle?

The words thwart and baffle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

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 baffle

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 Even Proctor’s defense attorney seemed baffled by the district attorney’s office’s handling of the case. —

Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026

Noun

The baffle box construction keeps everything secure and evenly distributed. —

Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 Dec. 2025 The lofty 90/10 duck down stays in place in the thick baffles, and the jacket has added design elements that add both protection and style. —

Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 26 Nov. 2025

Adjective

So that is what made Green’s performance against the Celtics on Thursday so baffling. —

Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026 But what was really baffling was Cronin’s claim that the questioner was raising his voice. —

Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

Noun

That said, the good outweighs the baffling. —

Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025

Verb

As if dark energy weren't already mysterious and baffling enough, new research suggests that this unknown force may not be driving galaxies apart at an accelerating rate anymore. —

Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2025 One morning, members of the Fort Greely missile defense base spot an ICBM of unknown origin on a suborbital trajectory heading straight for Chicago, baffling the country’s top intelligence and defense teams who only have 18 minutes to respond before impact. —

Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for baffle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffle

Adjective

The craze is perplexing to parents, but Bennett said the Hornets have embraced it to bring joy to young people.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
The oven was equally perplexing.

— Jason Fried, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026

Definition of perplexing

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badness

baffle

baffled

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“Baffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffle. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

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Last Updated: 2 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of baffle

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