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
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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
Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2024
Other stories explore similar themes in equally bizarre situations: In 1880s London, a very suave Joseph Merrick, aka The Elephant Man, flirts shamelessly with the smitten wife of his very baffled doctor (Goldsberry and Kind, respectively).
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2024
The development sent House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican members scrambling to come up with a new proposal and baffled senators on both sides of the aisle.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
The most interesting aspect that came out of that time with him — besides a green light to make the movie — was that Bob also was a little baffled about the events that went down in the course of our movie.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Murphy made the remark during an interview with WNYC as the public and lawmakers remain baffled over the source of the large drones.
—Greg Norman, Fox News, 12 Dec. 2024
The Beatles themselves can only offer bemused waves and baffled chuckles.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
TikTok users were left baffled and amazed by a clip showing a cat seamlessly opening a door for a dog.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
Censoring Ulysses In reviewing the UK Home Office files on James Joyce's Ulysses, a historian found baffled officials afraid to bring more attention to it.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
Adjective
Now, a development that once baffled educators and administrators is ready to go mainstream.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2024
Other stories explore similar themes in equally bizarre situations: In 1880s London, a very suave Joseph Merrick, aka The Elephant Man, flirts shamelessly with the smitten wife of his very baffled doctor (Goldsberry and Kind, respectively).
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2024
The development sent House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican members scrambling to come up with a new proposal and baffled senators on both sides of the aisle.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
The most interesting aspect that came out of that time with him — besides a green light to make the movie — was that Bob also was a little baffled about the events that went down in the course of our movie.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Murphy made the remark during an interview with WNYC as the public and lawmakers remain baffled over the source of the large drones.
—Greg Norman, Fox News, 12 Dec. 2024
The Beatles themselves can only offer bemused waves and baffled chuckles.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
TikTok users were left baffled and amazed by a clip showing a cat seamlessly opening a door for a dog.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
Censoring Ulysses In reviewing the UK Home Office files on James Joyce's Ulysses, a historian found baffled officials afraid to bring more attention to it.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffled
Adjective
-
Instead, the dog lies on the ground with a perplexed facial expression as the small, autonomous device that cleans floors by vacuuming goes over his paw and beside him.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
-
The film is a fish-out-of-water caper, as two exotic art weirdos attempt to charm ranchers and perplexed local officials.—
Michael Schulman,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Bollards on sidewalks as well as streets could have frustrated the New Orleans attack.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
-
They were frustrated about high levels of undocumented immigration.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Yes, Sam Darnold looked bewildered against Detroit in the regular season finale, and that conjures all sorts of lingering doubts.—
Jordan Brenner,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
-
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore brought different weapons to this cute fight: bobcat Kilgore and otter Brie, both seeming a little bewildered by the powder that surrounded them today.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
7 Jan. 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
Thesaurus Entries Near baffled
Cite this Entry
“Baffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffled. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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