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
Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025
One of the more baffling lawsuits in the final days of the Biden administration was the complaint against Zelle, the popular money transfer network.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
The goats have been one of the most baffling mysteries to haunt the halls of Lumon and have confused fans since season 1.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Divorce is never easy, but sometimes the reasons behind it can be downright baffling.
—Maria Morava, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for baffling
Adjective
This baffling rationalization ignores the entire point of the process by which visa holders become permanent residents and, often, citizens (not to mention the existence of time).
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025
One of the more baffling lawsuits in the final days of the Biden administration was the complaint against Zelle, the popular money transfer network.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
The goats have been one of the most baffling mysteries to haunt the halls of Lumon and have confused fans since season 1.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Divorce is never easy, but sometimes the reasons behind it can be downright baffling.
—Maria Morava, Newsweek, 10 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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Jeff: When meeting with reporters on Wednesday, Chastain indicated he was mystified and offended by Logano’s post-race comments expressing frustration with the Trackhouse Racing driver.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
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Several owners of food and drink establishments have spoken with The Star in recent months to share their frustrations about property crimes affecting businesses across Kansas City.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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What to watch: A U.S. official said Trump doesn't want to go to war with Iran but needs the military assets to establish deterrence in the negotiations — and to be prepared to act if negotiations fail and things escalate quickly.—
Barak Ravid,
Axios,
2 Apr. 2025
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Even after the fall of the Soviet Union—the deterrence of which was NATO's original raison d'etre—the alliance remains a firewall against authoritarianism.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For many people, these medications provide a way out of the frustrating cycle of dieting and regaining weight.—
Rowan Briggs,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2025
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Those interest rates matter, because of the frustrating math of inflation.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
3 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 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
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But for those of us who consider a walk of over a half-mile a squandered opportunity to knock a golf ball hither and yon, Los Angeles offers a bewildering array of worthy courses to explore for players of all levels.—
David Weiss,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 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 16 Apr. 2025.
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