as in perplexing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in thwarting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
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
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 baffling
Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Where to watch Collateral: Paramount+ 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning' review: Tom Cruise's latest is baffling and awesome
Tom Cruise pays tribute to late Val Kilmer's 'Top Gun' performance
10.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025
As is frequently the case in America these days, those looking for ways to blame an act of terror on distinctly right-wing or leftist extremism will find that the truth lies in a baffling and murky middle where contrary strains of radicalism converge.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025
The Baltimore Orioles’ future seems as baffling as the present.
—Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for baffling
Adjective
Here, the end of the world seems both baffling and boring.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Where to watch Collateral: Paramount+ 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning' review: Tom Cruise's latest is baffling and awesome
Tom Cruise pays tribute to late Val Kilmer's 'Top Gun' performance
10.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025
As is frequently the case in America these days, those looking for ways to blame an act of terror on distinctly right-wing or leftist extremism will find that the truth lies in a baffling and murky middle where contrary strains of radicalism converge.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025
The Baltimore Orioles’ future seems as baffling as the present.
—Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for baffling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffling
Adjective
-
What’s even more perplexing is that the brothers booked plane tickets to Boston for March 7, the day before they were found dead.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
28 May 2025
-
Even more perplexing: If shutting off service to new customers without an account is their strict policy, why wait until Friday to execute it?—
Ryan Minton,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Researchers are particularly focused on unraveling the puzzling interplay between gas content, magma pressure and lava flow dynamics.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Almost two years into his ordeal, Gould learned of an initiative at the National Institutes of Health that focuses on solving the country’s most puzzling medical cases.—
Jason Liebowitz,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Postgame, their manager’s frustration was palpable.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2025
-
Moments before allegedly opening fire, Zhao vented his frustrations at a supervisor and a co-worker whom Zhao blamed for a collision between his forklift and a bulldozer, prosecutors claim.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
In the process, the audacious asymmetric attack has raised questions among military analysts about everything from the future of air defenses to the nature of nuclear deterrence.—
Anna Mulrine Grobe,
Christian Science Monitor,
4 June 2025
-
Reversing these moves would quickly boost U.S. deterrence power.—
Eric S. Edelman,
Foreign Affairs,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
All of which is just my way of explaining why fans, who love these stories, might be distraught and might see all the success Martin has had thanks to his unfinished work and the support of his fans, as frustrating.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
To help avoid these frustrating and disappointing situations, travelers should plan to bring along a healthy dose of skepticism on their next trip—and think twice before paying for any offer that sounds too good to be true.—
Jessica Puckett,
Travel + Leisure,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
In that case, however, Anand managed to secure a checkmate after 29 days of play.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
21 May 2025
-
In the second, Eze again ceded the advantage, but ruthlessly capitalised on a costly blunder with a rapid-fire checkmate to seal the win and the tournament.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
In many ways, the deepfake issue appears increasingly Kafkaesque: a bewildering maze of shifting identities, elusive culprits, a tech bureaucracy sprawling beyond regulatory reach — and laws that are always lagging at least a few steps behind.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
And maybe David Bednar recaptures his old form and the Pittsburgh ‘pen proves as bewildering to opponents as the Tigers’ did down the stretch.—
Tim Britton,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As each attendee enters and takes off their shoes and adds them to the disorganized pile near the front of the door, a host asks them their intention for the evening.—
Lina Abascal,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
-
Gilroy’s dark wit has been used sparingly in Andor, but the sniping in between the disorganized sorta-rebels is a comic highlight.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baffling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffling. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share