baffle 1 of 2

verb

ˈba-fəl How to pronounce baffle (audio)
Definition of bafflenext
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

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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

baffle

2 of 2

noun

as in fender

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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
That reluctance baffles Pérez and her colleague, Deputy Public Defender Amy Tao. — Calmatters, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2025 Some staff were baffled that someone so senior, without a specific role at the club, should involve himself in such intricacies. — Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
The Hap Baker Firearms Facility in Westminster is temporarily closed in order to replace a baffle wall, a safety structure designed to capture and redirect stray bullets Subscribe to continue reading this article. — Sherry Greenfield, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2025 All that insulation is packed into baffles, which are woven instead of stitched into the jacket’s main fabric. — Frederick Reimers, Outside Online, 4 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for baffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffle
  1. frustrate
  2. perplex
  3. fender
  4. bewilder
  5. cushion
  6. confuse
  7. bumper
  8. puzzle
Verb
  • Any armchair sleuths hoping to test their clue-cracking skills will be left similarly frustrated by the fact breadcrumbs are practically non-existent throughout.
    — Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2025
  • In battle royale games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone, death is an immediate elimination, which can frustrate streamers trying to get exciting footage for their viewers — and there’s nothing more exciting than a win.
    — Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of frustrate
Verb
  • On the flip side, some have found peoples' infatuation with the ferocious-looking predator perplexing.
    — Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Many fans of the show are perplexed by this particular star with his cutthroat singing chops.
    — Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 19 Feb. 2025
Definition of perplex
Noun
  • The lifelong motorcycle enthusiast showed Vanity Fair her lavender-colored Harley-Davidson decorated with white daisies on the fenders.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Riley Herbst: Faded Promise On Lap 33, Herbst pitted to address a left-front fender rub caused by contact with Connor Zilisch.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of fender
Verb
  • That’s all bewildering plot-wise, but Morrison also bewilders readers through language.
    — The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Ukrainians are bewildered, wondering how the U.S. went so quickly from isolating the Kremlin to appearing to embrace it.
    — Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of bewilder
Noun
  • In 1968, an American B-52G Stratofortress bomber, carrying four hydrogen bombs, crashed onto the sea ice near Thule after a crew member started a fire by stuffing seat cushions in front of a heating vent.
    — Louise Bokkenheuser, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Jokic took his seat for the start of the fourth with a 101-99 cushion.
    — Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of cushion
Verb
  • Boat-Friendly Boca Grande To live in Boca Grande (not to be confused with Boca Raton, the resort on Florida’s east coast) is to be on the water.
    — Mary Forgione, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Zoom in: The confusing back-and-forth nature of the federal cuts has created an unpredictable obstacle course for TSU leaders.
    — Adam Tamburin, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of confuse
Noun
  • Around one-fifth of red wolves meet their end on a bumper, many on US 64, a primary route that vacationers take to the Outer Banks, the picturesque chain of barrier islands that line North Carolina’s seaboard.
    — Ben Goldfarb, Vox, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The front bumper of the suspect’s car was damaged, according to police.
    — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of bumper
Verb
  • At 28 years and nine months old, the former New York Yankees outfielder who struck out to end the 2024 World Series is the youngest free agent still without a team — a puzzling fall from grace for a six-year veteran who is 2019 was the Los Angeles Dodgers No. 1 prospect.
    — William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Another puzzling decision was the flag to remove a photo of Army Corps biologists recording information about fish.
    — Meredith Kile, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of puzzle

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Cite this Entry

“Baffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffle. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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