Baffles

To perplex, frustrate, or confuse; to prevent or impede the understanding of something. This can apply to situations, individuals, or objects that obstruct or hinder progress, comprehension, or movement. Baffling situations often involve complexity or a lack of clear information, leaving individuals struggling to find a solution. The verb implies a sense of being unable to overcome the obstacle, leading to feelings of bewilderment or helplessness. It can also refer to physical objects, like sound or light deflectors designed to obstruct or redirect flow.

Baffles meaning with examples

• The cryptic clues in the treasure hunt baffled the adventurers for days, as the riddles were designed to be intentionally misleading, leaving them unsure of the next step. Their frustration mounted as they repeatedly failed to decipher the puzzles, unable to progress closer to the hidden gold.
• The complex tax regulations baffled even the experienced accountant, as the constant updates made it hard to find the simplest way through the complicated maze. The new policy's dense language, designed to reduce taxation errors, instead had the opposite effect, leaving everyone frustrated.
• The mysterious disappearance of the key witness baffled the investigators, as they had no prior knowledge of their disappearance or any evidence to follow, leaving them unable to solve the case. The lack of leads added a layer of confusion.
• Engineers installed sound baffles in the concert hall to prevent echoes and improve acoustics, preventing interference and directing sound waves in a clear, focused manner. This improved the concert experience for the audience by providing a more clear sound.