Baffle — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈba-fəl/ baf·fle

Meaning & Definition of Baffle

Baffle (verb)

  1. to defeat or check (someone) by confusing or puzzling, to confuse or frustrate completely, disconcert
  2. to check or break the force or flow of by or as if by a baffle

Baffle (noun)

  1. a device (such as a plate, wall, or screen) to deflect, check, or regulate flow or passage (as of a fluid, light, or sound)

Baffle (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to prevent from achieving a goal

    "the language barrier baffled everyone and discouraged us from attempting another teleconference"

    similar: balk, beat, checkmate, discomfit, foil, frustrate, thwart
    related: bar, block, clog, encumber, fetter, hamper, handicap, hinder, hobble, hold back, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, tie up, trammel, arrest, check, halt, set back, short-circuit, stall, stop, avert, forestall, obviate, preclude, prevent, negate, neutralize, nullify, counteract, offset, conquer, defeat, overcome
    opposite: advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nurture, promote
    near: abet, aid, assist, ease, facilitate, smooth

  2. to throw into a state of mental uncertainty

    "she was baffled by the wording of the clause in the insurance policy"

    similar: addle, bamboozle, beat, befog, befuddle, bemuse, bewilder, buffalo, confound, confuse, discombobulate, disorient, flummox, fox, fuddle, get, gravel, maze, muddle, muddy, mystify, perplex, pose, puzzle, vex, blow one's mind, go to one's head
    related: stick, stump, weird out, abash, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle, agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, stun, unhinge, unsettle, upset, beguile, cozen, deceive, delude, dupe, fool, gull, hoax, hoodwink, humbug, misguide, mislead, snow, string along, take in, trick
    near: assure, reassure, satisfy, enlighten, inform

Baffle (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in muffler

    similar: muffler, buffer, bumper, cocoon, cushion, cushioning, fender, pad, padding, safeguard, shield, barricade, cordon

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Baffle

The most common words with a similar meaning to Baffle:

balk, beat, checkmate, discomfit, foil, frustrate, thwart, addle, bamboozle, befog, befuddle, bemuse, bewilder, buffalo, confound, confuse, discombobulate, disorient, flummox, fox, fuddle, get, gravel, maze, muddle, muddy, mystify, perplex, pose, puzzle, vex, blow one's mind, go to one's head, muffler, buffer, bumper, cocoon, cushion, cushioning, fender

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Baffle

Words with the opposite meaning of Baffle:

advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nurture, promote

Related Words for Baffle

bar, block, clog, encumber, fetter, hamper, handicap, hinder, hobble, hold back, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, tie up, trammel, arrest, check, halt, set back, short-circuit, stall, stop, avert, forestall, obviate, preclude, prevent

Near Antonyms of Baffle

abet, aid, assist, ease, facilitate, smooth, assure, reassure, satisfy, enlighten, inform

Word Forms of Baffle

Inflections: baffled, baffling

Derived words: bafflement (noun), baffler (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Baffle

probably alteration of Middle English (Scots) bawchillen to denounce, discredit publicly

First known use: 1675

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Baffle

Frequently Asked Questions about Baffle

What does "Baffle" mean?

"Baffle" means to defeat or check (someone) by confusing or puzzling, to confuse or frustrate completely, disconcert. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to defeat or check (someone) by confusing or puzzling, to confuse or frustrate completely, disconcert. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Baffle"?

Other words for "Baffle" include balk, beat, checkmate, discomfit, foil, frustrate, thwart and addle. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Baffle" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Baffle"?

There are 126 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Baffle". Common alternatives include balk, beat, checkmate, discomfit, foil, frustrate, thwart, addle, bamboozle and befog.

What is the opposite of "Baffle"?

Antonyms of "Baffle" include advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nurture and promote. Near antonyms include abet, aid, assist and ease.

How do you use "Baffle" in a sentence?

Examples of "Baffle" in a sentence: "the language barrier baffled everyone and discouraged us from attempting another teleconference"; "she was baffled by the wording of the clause in the insurance policy".

Is "Baffle" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Baffle" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Baffle" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Baffle" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Baffle"?

"Baffle" is pronounced /ˈba-fəl/ and divided into syllables as baf·fle.