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

The latest in a group of unlikely performers to baffle LSU, Timothy allowed five hits in 6 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and no walks in the 6-1 Sacramento State victory. —

Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026 One administrator told me that he was baffled, but that the embassy staff seemed confident that something would come of it. —

Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026

Noun

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 The fill is still wrapped in a cotton sateen shell, and the comforters are made with a baffle box construction to keep it all in place. —

Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Her attorney, Matt Swain, called the decision not to prosecute Davidson political and absolutely baffling. —

Nolan Clay, Oklahoman, 6 Mar. 2026 For virtually any other nominee this year, the choice would seem out of character, inevitably distracting, ultimately baffling. —

David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026

Noun

That said, the good outweighs the baffling. —

Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025

Verb

From financial wipeouts to baffling misreads of beloved source material, some of Hollywood’s most notorious flops began as video games. —

Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025 What started in middle school with a brand-new flip phone quickly turned into 17 years of unwanted calls, mistaken identities and baffling coincidences. —

Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for baffle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffle

Adjective

Project Hail Mary is an entertaining, if perplexing, film.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026
Radziwill’s absence has been somewhat perplexing.

— Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 19 Mar. 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 27 Mar. 2026.

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Synonyms of baffle

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noun (1)

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