Definitions

baffled

[baf-uhld] / ˈbæf əld /

ADJECTIVE

beaten

Synonyms

STRONGEST

humbled overpowered overwhelmed routed

STRONG

bested circumvented conquered cowed crushed disappointed discomfited disheartened frustrated licked mastered overcome overthrown ruined subjugated surmounted thwarted trounced undone vanquished worsted

ADJECTIVE

befuddled

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bewildered

STRONG

dumbfounded stumped stupefied

WEAK

mixed up slaphappy

Antonyms

WEAK

clear clearheaded sober straight

ADJECTIVE

bewildered

Synonyms

STRONGEST

astonished awed befuddled dazed mystified perplexed puzzled rattled shocked startled stunned surprised

STRONG

addled appalled astounded dazzled disconcerted dizzy dumbfounded flabbergasted floored flustered lost misled muddled reeling staggered stumped stupefied thrown

WEAK

agape aghast agog awe-struck bowled over dumbstruck flipped-out giddy in a dither punchy shook-up speechless taken aback thunderstruck uncertain unglued

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aware

STRONG

clear

WEAK

oriented understanding

ADJECTIVE

confused

Synonyms

STRONGEST

befuddled bewildered dazed disorganized distracted muddled perplexed perturbed puzzled

STRONG

abashed addled discombobulated disconcerted flummoxed flustered gone misled nonplussed stumped thrown unscrewed unzipped woolly

WEAK

at a loss at sea at sixes and sevens come apart fouled-up glassy-eyed mixed up not with it out to lunch punch-drunk punchy screwy shook-up shot to pieces slaphappy spaced out taken aback thrown off balance unglued

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clear

STRONG

composed

WEAK

methodical ordered organized oriented separated systematic understanding

ADJECTIVE

confusional

Synonyms

WEAK

addled befuddled bewildered confounded disturbed perplexed puzzled turbid

ADJECTIVE

doubtful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dubious hesitant indecisive puzzled skeptical suspicious tentative uncertain unconvinced undecided unsettled unsure

WEAK

agnostic confused discomposed disconcerted distracted distrustful disturbed doubting equivocal faithless faltering flustered hesitating in a quandary in clouds in dilemma irresolute like doubting Thomas lost not following of two minds perplexed questioning theoretical troubled unresolved vacillating wavering without belief

Antonyms

STRONGEST

certain clear decided decisive definite determined secure settled sure trustworthy trusty undoubted

WEAK

believing confident confirmed convinced exact resolved trusting unquestionable

ADJECTIVE

mixed-up

Synonyms

WEAK

befuddled bewildered come apart confounded dazed discombobulated disconcerted disorganized disoriented flummoxed flustered lost muddled out to lunch perplexed puzzled stumped thrown off balance

ADJECTIVE

muddle-headed

Synonyms

WEAK

abashed addled addlepated at a loss at sea at sixes and sevens befuddled bewildered come apart confounded confusional dazed discombobulated disconcerted disorganized distracted flummoxed flustered fouled-up glassy-eyed gone misled mixed up muddled nonplussed not with it out to lunch perplexed perturbed punch-drunk punchy puzzled screwy shook-up shot to pieces slaphappy spaced out stumped taken aback thrown thrown off balance turbid unglued unscrewed unzipped

ADJECTIVE

punch-drunk

Synonyms

WEAK

agog befuddled confused dazzled dizzy dumbfounded dumbstruck flustered lost muddled perplexed punchy puzzled rattled slap-happy staggered

ADJECTIVE

puzzled

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bewildered clueless doubtful mystified perplexed rattled

STRONG

bollixed discombobulated floored lost nonplussed shook stuck stumped thrown

WEAK

at a loss at sea come apart come unzipped dopey foggy fouled-up hung up in a fog loused up messed-up mind-blown mixed up mucked up screwed-up shook-up spaced out unglued without a clue

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clear

WEAK

aware certain cognizant sure

ADJECTIVE

stuck

Synonyms

STRONG

adhered caught fixed frozen glued joined mired perplexed puzzled saddled stumped stymied

ADJECTIVE

stuck

Synonyms

STRONG

confounded dumbfounded puzzled

Antonyms

STRONG

aware

ADJECTIVE

stumped

Synonyms

STRONG

befuddled bewildered confused dumbfounded

WEAK

at a loss uncertain

Antonyms

STRONG

clear oriented understanding

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for baffled?

Baffled means extremely or completely puzzled or confused. Perhaps the closest synonym is stumped, which is used to describe someone who has no idea what the answer or solution is or what their next action should be—someone who simply cannot figure it out despite having tried their hardest. Synonyms for baffled that are similarly intense include perplexed, confounded, bewildered, and befuddled. Less commonly, baffled is used to mean the same thing as thwarted. Similar words include foiled, defeated, and the more specific sense of frustrated.

What is the opposite (antonym) of baffled?

Baffled doesn’t really have a direct opposite in the form of an adjective. However, someone who was baffled may eventually figure out the problem or find the answer to the question. In this way, they fully understand or see clearly—they have a clear-eyed view of the problem, question, or situation. The opposite of baffled in the sense of thwarted is successful.

How do you use baffled in a sentence?

Baffled is most commonly used in the context of things that are difficult or impossible to figure out or understand. Here are some examples of baffled in a sentence:

I’m completely baffled. Why would anyone have done this?
His explanation left us all baffled.
Baffled investigators have been unable to identify a single suspect.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her father, a gastroenterologist named Kenneth Rodgers, was baffled.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

"Geologists collected them avidly; undergraduates were baffled by them in practical classes. But in recent years they have become very relevant."

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

For seven decades, the Eurovision Song Contest -- which gathers performers from across Europe and further afield, selected by each country's public broadcasting service -- has delighted and, at times, baffled spectators.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

But this year, Tatis’s OPS of .611 is 153rd out of MLB’s 177 qualified hitters—a stunning decline that has the entire baseball world baffled.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

Rondell stared back at me, baffled, then turned to look at Mong.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña

baffled

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Vocabulary lists containing baffled

Similes from Top AP English Exam Novels

A Long Way Gone

Beowulf vocabulary

baffled

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing baffled

Similes from Top AP English Exam Novels

A Long Way Gone

Beowulf vocabulary