baffled

[ baf-uhld ]

adjective

1. bewildered or perplexed; puzzled:

   I went to bed shaking my head, completely baffled and amazed at the strange turn the day had taken.

2. equipped with one or more baffles, or structures to obstruct the movement of fluids, sound, etc.:

   Any spraying operations shall be done within a baffled or enclosed area of the solvent cleaning machine.

3. thwarted:

   “Every anarchist is a baffled dictator,” wrote Mussolini.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of anticipate ( def ).

Other Words From

• un·baf·fled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of baffled¹

baffle ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

What aspects of Elisabeth baffled you?

From Los Angeles Times

"Oasis are back and Jedward are back!" they declared, before racing over to baffled German and French journalists, while singing Stop Crying Your Heart Out.

From BBC

I am so baffled Geroge was taken off after 51 minutes.

From BBC

As the New York Times reported at the time, “Nothing else in Mr. Obama’s first term has baffled liberal supporters and confounded conservative critics alike as his aggressive counterterrorism record. His actions have often remained inscrutable, obscured by awkward secrecy rules, polarized political commentary, and the president’s own deep reserve.”

From Salon

Her fatal stabbing has baffled police for 15 years.

From BBC

Related Words

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