baffle

/ˈbæfəl/
/ˈbæfəl/
IPA guide

Other forms: baffled; baffling; baffles

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.

Definitions of baffle
  1. verb
    be puzzling or bewildering to
    synonyms: amaze, beat, bewilder, dumbfound, flummox, get, gravel, mystify, nonplus, perplex, pose, puzzle, stick, stupefy, vex
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    types:
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    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. noun
    a flat plate that controls or directs the flow of fluid or energy
    synonyms: baffle board
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    types:
    diffuser, diffusor
    baffle that distributes sound waves evenly
    type of:
    plate
    a sheet of metal or wood or glass or plastic
  3. verb
    check the emission of (sound)
    synonyms: regulate
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    type of:
    bound, confine, limit, restrain, restrict, throttle, trammel
    place limits on (extent or access)
  4. verb
    hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
    synonyms: bilk, confound, cross, foil, frustrate, queer, scotch, scuttle, spoil, thwart
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    types:
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    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, preempt, prevent
    keep from happening or arising; make impossible
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