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baffled

baffled

3.9
Feeling confused when you cannot understand something
  • adjective
  • /ˈbæfəld/
translation icon : perplejo
  • After hearing the unexpected news, he looked baffled and struggled to respond.

Scientists remain baffled at why these mass strandings occur.

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Examples

  • Scientists remain baffled at why these mass strandings occur.

  • He seemed baffled by my being sick.

  • But physicists were completely baffled by this, so they decided to peek and see which slit it actually goes through.

  • Bishop was baffled with admiration at how Marianne answered unexpected questions.

  • She was completely baffled by the complicated math problem on the test.

  • The sudden change in plans left everyone baffled during the meeting.

Synonyms

confused
vsbaffled
692 1.3

Not able to think clearly or understand what is happening

is confusion focused on things that are hard to understand or explain
mixed-up
vsbaffled
  • Informal
82 4.9

Confused and unsure because different ideas or instructions do not agree

is more general bewilderment from anything hard to understand
puzzled
vsbaffled
31 3.0

Unable to understand something because you feel confused

is confusion that specifically comes from something hard to explain
at sea
vsbaffled
9 6.8

Confused and not sure what to do

is confusion tied to not understanding or explaining something complex
perplexed
vsbaffled
7 5.1

Feeling confused because you do not understand something

is similar but tied to difficulty explaining or grasping an idea
lost
vsbaffled
6 1.0

Confused and unsure what to do or where to go

is confusion caused mainly by something hard to understand or explain
bemused
vsbaffled
3 6.7

Unable to understand what is happening

is broader confusion often rooted in hard to explain matters
nonplussed
vsbaffled
3 8.9

Very surprised and confused so you do not know what to say or do

is confusion more linked to difficulty understanding or explaining causes
mystified
vsbaffled
1 5.9

Not able to understand what is happening and feeling puzzled

is confusion specifically caused by something hard to understand or explain
bewildered
vsbaffled
1 5.3

Feeling confused and not knowing what is happening or what to do

is confusion that arises from difficulty understanding a cause or reason
mazed
vsbaffled
9.6

Confused and unable to think clearly

is confusion that may come from one hard to explain issue
confounded
vsbaffled
6.8

Feeling very confused and not able to understand something unexpected

is confusion often caused by a single hard to understand factor
befuddled
vsbaffled
7.4

Confused and unable to think clearly

is confusion that specifically stems from difficulty understanding or explaining
bamfoozled
vsbaffled
  • Informal
9.9

Confused and not sure what to do

is more formal confusion that comes from hard to explain matters

Antonyms

171 1.6

Clear and easy to see what it means or why someone feels that way

1 4.3

Calm and in control of your feelings during stress

How Confused

bewildered
1 5.3
perplexed
7 5.1
baffled
3.9
confused
692 1.3
puzzled
31 3.0

Surface Forms

baffled positive

Morphology

baffled = baffle (transparent) = baffle + ed

The adjective 'baffled' is transparently derived from the verb 'baffle' by adding the past participle suffix '-ed'.

Etymology

The word baffled comes from the older verb baffle, which once meant 'to beat' or 'to surprise' and later 'to confuse'. A helpful way to remember it is to imagine your plans hitting a wall and stopping; you feel 'blocked' and puzzled, which is why baffled means 'confused'.