as in perplexed
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do
baffled viewers didn't know what to make of the strange antics of the talk show host
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in frustrated
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 puzzled
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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Recent Examples of baffled
Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 3 July 2025
Fans, of course, remain baffled and angry and depressed over the lack of any visible progress on Martin’s sixth A Song Of Ice And Fire novel, The Winds Of Winter.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
The Tensor series uses a double layer of reflective film insulation, with a baffled air chamber design, which helps keep it quiet.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 22 May 2025
Delap’s cannon shoulders struck fear into a baffled division, like a medieval army who looked across the battlefield and realised that the opposing forces had technology far beyond theirs.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Kind, baffled but game, gets roped into the dada humor.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
Chasing perfection this offseason required Webb to tweak the pitch that, ironically, most baffled hitters.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Surrounding the headliners are grumpy arena security, who spend the night wearing baffled expressions watching a sea of adults cheer and laugh and applaud over imaginary characters engaged in battles no one can actually see, and rolls of acrylic dice just 16 millimeters in size.
—Eric Francisco, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025
Now, a development that once baffled educators and administrators is ready to go mainstream.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
What baffled doctors, however, was that the bone was not lodged in her throat but buried in the muscle tissue of her neck.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 3 July 2025
Fans, of course, remain baffled and angry and depressed over the lack of any visible progress on Martin’s sixth A Song Of Ice And Fire novel, The Winds Of Winter.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
The Tensor series uses a double layer of reflective film insulation, with a baffled air chamber design, which helps keep it quiet.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 22 May 2025
Delap’s cannon shoulders struck fear into a baffled division, like a medieval army who looked across the battlefield and realised that the opposing forces had technology far beyond theirs.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Kind, baffled but game, gets roped into the dada humor.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
Chasing perfection this offseason required Webb to tweak the pitch that, ironically, most baffled hitters.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Surrounding the headliners are grumpy arena security, who spend the night wearing baffled expressions watching a sea of adults cheer and laugh and applaud over imaginary characters engaged in battles no one can actually see, and rolls of acrylic dice just 16 millimeters in size.
—Eric Francisco, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025
Now, a development that once baffled educators and administrators is ready to go mainstream.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffled
Adjective
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Veteran Harold Gould earns laughs as the often perplexed grandfather.—
Kirk Honeycutt,
HollywoodReporter,
12 July 2025
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Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images Clarkson hinted at not liking three drivers on the grid, which left Brundle quite perplexed and didn't press the reality TV star on who those drivers were.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
The outspoken owner wants to win and seems to be frustrated at the state of his team.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Showing up to the Walz event was May Dehaan’s way of trying to get Nunn to notice that his constituents are frustrated.—
HANNAH FINGERHUT,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This run – and the exhausted, bewildered looks on the players’ faces throughout it – has no doubt shaped Inter’s odds to win away to Barcelona, which look pretty close to long shot territory.—
Sam Tighe,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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In the two years since Tommy Elliott was killed in a mass shooting, Maryanne’s grief has, in turns, left her aghast and overwhelmed, bewildered and incapacitated, grateful and wanting to die.—
Kristina Goetz,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Many people get confused by these forms which contain code and jargon that rarely offer a clear explanation of anything.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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Not to be confused with DEI training, skill building is a way to help people improve their communication skills, negotiation style and overall understanding of relevant topics, all while leveling up professionally.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes,
21 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Baffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffled. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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