Baffling

The word 'baffling' describes something that is confusing, perplexing, or difficult to understand. It suggests a situation or problem that is complex, defying simple explanations, and leaving one feeling puzzled or bewildered. It often implies a sense of being unable to make sense of something, leading to frustration or intrigue. The term can be applied to events, people's behaviour, or abstract concepts, all of which share the characteristic of being incomprehensible at first glance.

Baffling meaning with examples

• The detective found the clues in the case baffling. They seemed to contradict each other, leading him down multiple dead ends. The victim's motive remained obscured by the conflicting evidence, frustrating his efforts to solve the mystery.
• The sudden market crash was a baffling event for economists. Despite numerous theories, the precise combination of factors that triggered the downturn continued to remain unclear, leaving many investors anxious.
• Sarah found her colleague's behavior at the meeting baffling. His abrupt shifts in mood and contradictory statements left her confused. She couldn't figure out whether he was being deliberately cryptic or genuinely uncertain.
• The complex rules of quantum mechanics were baffling to the student. Their seeming disregard for the classical laws of physics challenged his understanding and made it hard for him to grasp the underlying principles.