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
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 baffled
Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Many are somewhat baffled or turned off by the ale.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Why cells grow to just the right size has long baffled scientists.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Dec. 2025
Looking aghast, Kylie couldn’t help but go silent with a baffled expression for several seconds.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
Thousands of commenters responded with laughter, surprise, and sympathy for the dog’s baffled expression.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … YOUTH CHAOS – Sports reporter ambushed on air as bizarre teen trend leaves adults baffled.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite Banks’ enthusiasm, commenters were left baffled.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
The clear stance that the club has spent every available penny of their PSR allowance left many baffled, but the club’s accounts over the coming years will reveal all.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
This disconnect, despite all appearances of a serious campaign, has left many Democrats baffled.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
Homeowners and residents are baffled by the attacks upon their beautiful — but otherwise seemingly useless — plants.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Many are calling Belichick’s apparent lack of inclusion a sham or a snub, and even the most reasonable of NFL fans — like Patrick Mahomes — are baffled.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2026
Later novels routinely took inspiration from family members or former or current lovers; the 1980 novel that baffled Frank Kermode is a dreamlike fable about a man guiltily trying to have an extramarital affair.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Instead, Chan's team taught Liu how to juggle, which baffled her.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Jan. 2026
While McDermott is out, Beane was promoted to president of football operations, a move that baffled many as much as the coach’s firing.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
In August 2025, the IFA determined that Lebanon Utilities' leg of the project didn't necessitate an environmental impact statement, which baffled many on the committee who see a host of potential threats.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
During the latest hearing in the case, Young repeatedly seemed baffled that the country’s top leaders would attempt to implement such a policy.
—Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Many are somewhat baffled or turned off by the ale.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Why cells grow to just the right size has long baffled scientists.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Dec. 2025
Looking aghast, Kylie couldn’t help but go silent with a baffled expression for several seconds.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
Thousands of commenters responded with laughter, surprise, and sympathy for the dog’s baffled expression.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … YOUTH CHAOS – Sports reporter ambushed on air as bizarre teen trend leaves adults baffled.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite Banks’ enthusiasm, commenters were left baffled.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
The clear stance that the club has spent every available penny of their PSR allowance left many baffled, but the club’s accounts over the coming years will reveal all.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Even Proctor’s defense attorney seemed baffled by the district attorney’s office’s handling of the case.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
This disconnect, despite all appearances of a serious campaign, has left many Democrats baffled.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
Homeowners and residents are baffled by the attacks upon their beautiful — but otherwise seemingly useless — plants.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Many are calling Belichick’s apparent lack of inclusion a sham or a snub, and even the most reasonable of NFL fans — like Patrick Mahomes — are baffled.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2026
Later novels routinely took inspiration from family members or former or current lovers; the 1980 novel that baffled Frank Kermode is a dreamlike fable about a man guiltily trying to have an extramarital affair.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Instead, Chan's team taught Liu how to juggle, which baffled her.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Jan. 2026
While McDermott is out, Beane was promoted to president of football operations, a move that baffled many as much as the coach’s firing.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
In August 2025, the IFA determined that Lebanon Utilities' leg of the project didn't necessitate an environmental impact statement, which baffled many on the committee who see a host of potential threats.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffled
Adjective
-
But much like with the Belichick snub, NFL fans were as perplexed about Kraft being left off the ballot as well.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The five-time major champion remains perplexed by the poa annua greens and settled for a 68 on the easier North to make the cut on the number.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Florida House Republicans, who assembled a redistricting committee last summer, have been frustrated by the slower pace set by DeSantis.—
Michael Van Sickler,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Ava Mattox, 32, was looking to connect with other readers, frustrated by how few Americans read for pleasure these days.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Store employees were puzzled about any alleged involvement with El Primo.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
-
For decades, this has puzzled physicists and engineers alike.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Olivier tried successfully to get the reader to understand how a gentle, pacific young man could come to kill more than a thousand people, and so capturing the tone and empathetic portrayal not only of Simo Häyhä and his colleagues but also of the often-bewildered Russian soldiers was essential.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The usually positive Gauff went negative, lacked energy and seemed bewildered and overwhelmed.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Democratic lawmakers condemn Maxwell’s plea Democrats in the House Oversight Committee denounced Maxwell’s request for a presidential pardon and suggested that Trump’s refusal to rule out such a possibility has hampered the committee’s inquiry.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
As has been the case many a time during the season, giveaways hampered Golden State for much of the night.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The New England Patriots just couldn't muster much of an attack against a Seattle defense that appeared to have Drake Maye confused through much of the night, falling 29-13.—
Will Richmond,
The Providence Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The California Department of Public Health is urging people to avoid mushroom foraging altogether this year because death cap mushrooms are easily confused with safe, edible varieties.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Bugatti appears slightly embarrassed by this flourish and has been quick to point out that it was added at the customer’s request.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Harry was both ‘excited’ and ‘embarrassed’ to bring Meghan there.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffled. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
