baffle 1 of 2

baffle

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noun

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
There was debris on a plastic baffle plate inside the ice machine. Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025 The 3-inch down topper has a 750-fill power which is distributed evenly with a three-dimensional baffle box stitching and encased in a cotton sateen shell. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
That explains Kelce’s latest TikTok video that baffled a lot of his fans. Kansas City Star, 3 July 2025 The killings initially baffled law enforcement and unnerved the rural college town of Moscow, which hadn’t seen a murder in five years until Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen were found dead near campus on Nov. 13, 2022. Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for baffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffle
Verb
  • The men's families and supporters were frustrated with the pace of the hearing.
    Christina Hall, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
  • Not being able to offer a heart-lung transplant in Austin frustrates Fraser.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • At the time, I was perplexed and questioned if this was necessary.
    Susan Horava, Health, 24 June 2025
  • Ultimately, the remaining Islanders dumped Jeremiah and Hannah, a controversial move that left viewers at home perplexed as to why this decision was made.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • That is a topic, however, of some debate for those attracted to the curvaceous, pontoon-style front fenders of the original 911 that was carried through the 964 series . . .
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 25 July 2025
  • Wider front fenders and a front fascia with larger air inlets are also in the mix.
    James Raia, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • As Epstein continues to dog his presidency, Trump says he’s bewildered by the attention.
    Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 25 July 2025
  • Her camera is so incisive, always peeling back the veneers of polite conversation to reveal the messy, often contradictory emotions that drive us, that bewilder us.
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • Give your arches a little cushion with a ballet flat sneaker like the ones below.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 23 July 2025
  • For cozy seating, shop this oversized accent chair that has a 360-degree swivel and plush foam and spring cushions.
    Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Two people can deliver the same message, but their delivery style can make the difference between motivating and confusing a team.
    Kendra MacDonald, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • By 1915, scientists unearthed 2 million bones of large animals from La Brea, and a pattern emerged that both excited and confused them: too many predators.
    Ian Rose, JSTOR Daily, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • As an existing player, Yamal is automatically registered, but his bumper salary means there is less space to fit in others.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 22 July 2025
  • There’s an authoritative front grille and bumper, and revised rear tail lights.
    Josh Max, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Another puzzling question was what to do with the long, narrow goat stable.
    Aileen Weintraub, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2025
  • One especially puzzling discovery is shown in a narrow closet.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Baffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffle. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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