baffling

1 of 2

adjective

baf·​fling ˈba-f(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce baffling (audio)
Synonyms of baffling
: extremely confusing or difficult to understand
a baffling decision
found the directions utterly baffling
bafflingly adverb
a bafflingly complex explanation

baffling

2 of 2

present participle of baffle entry 1

Examples of baffling in a Sentence

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Adjective
My daughter, Sophie Rottenberg, had a short and baffling health crisis that might have been a mental illness borne of hormonal dysregulation, or the inverse. — Laura Reiley, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026 The stock market is back at all-time highs, a baffling ascent to many given just how much macroeconomic conditions have deteriorated lately — namely, in the rising price of oil and climbing Treasury yields. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 Even more baffling is that American Girl already includes age categories as a method for filtering books on its website. — Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 For a movie that had once been generating top Oscar buzz, including a potential first win for Cruise, it has since been hit with critiques that have described it as baffling, brilliant or just plain bad. — David MacK, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for baffling

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1783, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of baffling was in 1783

Browse Nearby Words

baffler
baffling
baffling wind
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Baffling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baffling. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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