baffle - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

To baffle is to confuse. If you are completely puzzled as to what baffle means, you might say that this word baffles you.

Baffle means "confuse," but it can also mean "amaze." A magician might baffle you with an impressive magic trick. Additionally, this verb can mean "to spoil, thwart, or defeat by means of confusion." In a debate, you might baffle the opposition by introducing new information that your opponents are not familiar with. Baffle can also be used like stump. If you are stumped by a question on a test, then you’ve been baffled by that question.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: baffle

1	v	be a mystery or bewildering to
2	n v	a flat plate that controls or directs the flow of fluid or energy check the emission of (sound)
3	v	hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: baffle

1

v be a mystery or bewildering to

Synonyms:: amaze, beat, bewilder, dumbfound, flummox, get, gravel, mystify, nonplus, perplex, pose, puzzle, stick, stupefy, vex

Types:: show 4 types...; hide 4 types...; mix up, stump
cause to be perplexed or confounded; riddle
set a difficult problem or riddle; elude, escape
be incomprehensible to; escape understanding by; defy, refuse, resist
elude, especially in a baffling way

Type of:: bedevil, befuddle, confound, confuse, discombobulate, fox, fuddle, throw
be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly

2

n a flat plate that controls or directs the flow of fluid or energy

Synonyms:: baffle board

Types:: diffuser, diffusor
baffle that distributes sound waves evenly

Type of:: plate
a sheet of metal or wood or glass or plastic

v check the emission of (sound)

Synonyms:: regulate

Type of:: bound, confine, limit, restrain, restrict, throttle, trammel
place limits on (extent or access)

3

v hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of

Synonyms:: bilk, cross, foil, frustrate, queer, scotch, spoil, thwart

Types:: show 10 types...; hide 10 types...; disappoint, let down
fail to meet the hopes or expectations of; dash
destroy or break; short-circuit
hamper the progress of; impede; ruin
destroy or cause to fail; betray, fail
disappoint, prove undependable to; abandon, forsake; come short, fall short
fail to meet (expectations or standards); disenchant, disillusion
free from enchantment; undo
cause the ruin or downfall of; break
cause the failure or ruin of; shipwreck
ruin utterly

Type of:: forbid, foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent
keep from happening or arising; make impossible