1
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
2
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
as in perplexing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in thwarting
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
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
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of baffle
Ben Coxworth
may 11, New Atlas, 11 May 2026
Turner remained baffled why the broadcast giants — ABC, NBC and CBS — hadn't launched cable stations.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 6 May 2026
Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The design also features a black cone 12-inch woofer, selected to complement the warm oak finish and brown grille, along with a black satin wood baffle frame and anniversary edition badging on front and rear.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Captions were prone to more errors when offline, but translations often came out downright confusing, with both wrong words and baffling grammar.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Georgia basketball’s matchup with Tennessee ended in baffling fashion Wednesday night.
—Olivia Sayer, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for baffle
Verb
Multiple baffles within the bladder help keep the liquid from sloshing around excessively, while a wide waterproof zipper across the top makes for easy filling, cleaning, and adding of electrolytes.
—Ben Coxworth
may 11, New Atlas, 11 May 2026
Turner remained baffled why the broadcast giants — ABC, NBC and CBS — hadn't launched cable stations.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 6 May 2026
Noun
However, one intrepid squirrel figured out how to climb up the pole about a foot beneath the baffle, then jump out away from the pole in mid-air, toward the edge of the baffle.
—Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The design also features a black cone 12-inch woofer, selected to complement the warm oak finish and brown grille, along with a black satin wood baffle frame and anniversary edition badging on front and rear.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The narcissism charge was especially baffling.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Captions were prone to more errors when offline, but translations often came out downright confusing, with both wrong words and baffling grammar.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
That said, the good outweighs the baffling.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
Though still fuming from his team’s baffling loss to the Bulls – the Warriors squandered an eight-point lead with 91 seconds remaining – Kerr found his composure long enough to crack a joke.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Georgia basketball’s matchup with Tennessee ended in baffling fashion Wednesday night.
—Olivia Sayer, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for baffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffle
Verb
-
As mentioned, lounges are often overcrowded, and taking up more than your fair share of space can frustrate fellow travelers.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
-
Prices are rising at a time when Americans are already frustrated by the high cost of living.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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As a longtime rider I, too, am perplexed by regular displays of poor customer service by CTA employees.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
-
As Season 3 of Euphoria continues to stir up some controversy, one of the show’s stars is perplexed by Cassie’s (Sydney Sweeney) OnlyFans storyline.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Another example is certain Volkswagen Beetles, where servicing the cooling system fan or air‑conditioning condenser requires removal of the bumper cover and both front fenders.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The fine doubles if the passenger is allowed to ride on the hood, fender, or in the trunk.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The right-hander has struggled to maintain his velocity this season, a perplexing trend largely stemming from an inconsistency in his mechanics.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
At the same time, the moon in Pisces makes social dynamics and exchanges more hazy and perplexing, especially with Mercury approaching a semi-square with Neptune in Aries, which will become exact tomorrow morning.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
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
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
The Boeing order is especially puzzling as China is rolling out its indigenous C919 passenger aircraft with great fanfare.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
15 May 2026
-
But as of last month, the FDA has twice opted not to approve RP1, puzzling researchers and worrying drug developers.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Gasly seems faintly bewildered by the designation.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Netizens were bewildered by the latest pivot, resulting in plenty of mockery on social media.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffle. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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