as in perplexing
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as in thwarting
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1
as in frustrating
to prevent from achieving a goal
the language barrier baffled everyone and discouraged us from attempting another teleconference
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of baffling
Marisa Elrick, Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar. 2025
Of course, not everyone can get on the WrestleMania 41 card, but how a top act like Zayn could be left off is truly baffling.
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—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Deep dive Spencer Platt/Getty Images Over the last six months, NPR's Brian Mann has been tracking the mystery behind why drug deaths are plummeting in the U.S. at a rate experts say is hopeful yet baffling.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Mar. 2025
It’s been an especially baffling campaign for a franchise that historically has the reputation of punching above its weight, like the Predators did last year in their surprising late-season run to make the playoffs.
—Pierre Lebrun, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for baffling
Adjective
Last month’s announcement is truly baffling, as this was a core part of Southwest’s strategy and business identity.
—Marisa Elrick, Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar. 2025
Of course, not everyone can get on the WrestleMania 41 card, but how a top act like Zayn could be left off is truly baffling.
Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Deep dive Spencer Platt/Getty Images Over the last six months, NPR's Brian Mann has been tracking the mystery behind why drug deaths are plummeting in the U.S. at a rate experts say is hopeful yet baffling.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Mar. 2025
It’s been an especially baffling campaign for a franchise that historically has the reputation of punching above its weight, like the Predators did last year in their surprising late-season run to make the playoffs.
—Pierre Lebrun, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for baffling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baffling
Adjective
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Despite these extraordinary gains, recent research published in PNAS Nexus highlights two deeply perplexing contradictions in women’s psychological well-being: the paradox of declining female happiness and the paradox of the contented female worker.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Queen’s habit of grinning in intense huddles or after a bad practice is both endearing and perplexing.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Researchers are particularly focused on unraveling the puzzling interplay between gas content, magma pressure and lava flow dynamics.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
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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
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There’s a sense of frustration that comes with that, like, How come no one’s listening to the voice of a generation?—
Cat Cardenas,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2025
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The president has voiced frustration with the 1973 law and similar environmental protections, saying environmentalists are impeding growth.—
Kristin Brown,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The two sides reaffirmed their security ties and announced planned initiatives, including the deployment of additional advanced military capabilities, bilateral training for high-end operations, greater defense industrial cooperation, and a joint cyber campaign—all aimed at restoring deterrence.—
Lynn Kuok,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Apr. 2025
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These nuclear-capable aircraft are capable of deep-penetration missions and are part of a broader deterrence posture as the U.S. prepares for possible confrontation.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Very few things are more frustrating than Wi-Fi that lags mid-stream, mid-binge, or mid-video calls.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
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As frustrating as learning my bearings can be at times, the a-ha moments are always a joy.—
Diego Argüello,
Rolling Stone,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The scene sees Martin's character, named George, put Redford's in checkmate with some help from series star Zahn McClarnon, who portrays Navajo tribal police officer Joe Leaphorn on the series.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
10 Mar. 2025
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Between sips of coffee, onlooker Joe suggested to George a move which led to a checkmate.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The formula at the core of President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement that continues to rattle markets is bewildering economists, who say it is based on flawed assumptions.—
Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2025
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The ominous thriller received a second trailer on Tuesday (April 1) as the Toronto singer/actor took viewers further into his bewildering odyssey.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The doc chronicles the events and tactics that transformed live performance from disorganized, low-fi events to international tours, arenas, and, eventually, into a global empire — and at 86 years old, Delsener is still at it, and remains a familiar presence at New York concerts.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2025
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The Bay Area’s NWSL side could be playing in a distracted and disorganized fashion, what with the active investigation into Montoya and the coaching staff that is hanging over their heads.—
Christian Babcock,
The Mercury News,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baffling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baffling. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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