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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.

A flurry of powerful attacks had internet experts baffled.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

She explained aspirin played a critical role for millions of patients with cardiovascular conditions and was baffled at the shortage which has been ongoing since late last year.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Yet this strangely compelling work has simultaneously beguiled and baffled art historians for generations, starting with the odd moment that Pontormo chose to depict in his innovative way, isolated from the rest of the narrative.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

For months, Cremer's case had baffled many as initial police searches failed to lead to any clues about her whereabouts.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

My mom stood in the kitchen, a soapy pot in her hand, and looked at me, baffled.

From "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez

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