baffle

noun

(countable, technology) A device used to dampen, muffle, restrain, or otherwise control the movement of a fluid, or waves travelling through a fluid such as light or sound; specifically, a surface positioned inside an open area to inhibit direct motion from one place to another without preventing motion altogether.

A barrier designed to obstruct and confuse enemies, rendering them vulnerable.

(countable, technology) (US, dialectal, coal mining) A lever for operating the throttle valve of a winding engine.

(obsolete, countable) An argument or objection based on an ambiguity of wording or similar trivial circumstance; a minor complaint; a quibble.

(obsolete, uncountable) Intentional insult; affront; also, disgrace; (countable) an instance of this.

verb

(transitive) To confuse or perplex (someone) completely; to bewilder, to confound, to puzzle.

(transitive) (technology) To dampen, muffle, restrain, or otherwise control (a fluid, or waves travelling through a fluid such as light or sound).

(transitive) (specifically, nautical) Of weather or wind: to hinder or prevent (a ship or its crew) from advancing.

(intransitive) To expend effort or struggle in vain.

(generally) To treat (someone) with contempt; to disgrace; also, to speak of (someone or something) in contemptuous terms; to speak ill of, to vilify.

(transitive) (archaic) To defeat, frustrate, or thwart (someone or their efforts, plans, etc.); to confound, to foil.

(transitive) (obsolete) To deceive or hoodwink (someone); to gull.

(transitive) (obsolete) Followed by away or out: to deprive of (something) through cheating or manipulation; also (followed by out of), to deprive of something by cheating or manipulating (someone).

(intransitive) (obsolete) To argue or complain in a petty or trivial manner; to quibble.

To publicly disgrace (someone); specifically, a recreant knight.

Synonyms for baffle

perplexv flummoxv mystifyv nonplusv dumbfoundv amazev frustratev befuddlev confoundv confusev disconcertv puzzlen thwartv discomfitv bafflementn bilkv foiln bogglev

Synonyms & related words for baffle

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Words related to baffle

Explore words related to baffle — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include bewilder, baffler, stupefy, bemuse, discombobulate, vex, flabbergast, astonish. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for baffle

Common synonyms for baffle include perplex, flummox, mystify, nonplus, dumbfound, amaze, frustrate, befuddle — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.