Definition of: baffle

(baf′əl) v. baf·fled, baf·fling v.t.
1. To thwart or frustrate; defeat; perplex: Police detectives were completely baffled by the absence of a motive.
2. Naut. To beat back or hinder: The ship was baffled by the storm.
—v.i.
3. To struggle to no avail: The gull baffles with the wind.
—noun
1. A baffleplate.
2. A partition with a small central hole set in front of a radio loudspeaker to prevent excessive flow of air in either direction.
3. Any movable surface, as a board or blanket, used to control and direct sound effect in filming motion pictures. [Origin uncertain]
—baf′fle·ment noun
—baf′fler noun
—baf′fling adjective
—baf′·fling·ly adverb Synonyms (verb): balk, circumvent, defeat, foil, frustrate, outgeneral, outmaneuver, outwit, thwart. All the words of this list imply defeat by something less than direct resistance. A plan, a scheme, or an opponent may be baffled by any artifice sufficient to prevent success. An attempt is foiled which is made to miss its mark by some craft or skill of an opponent. An attempt is frustrated which is made vain by any means, with or without design; as, the attempt at surprise was frustrated by the accidental discharge of a gun. An undertaking, movement, etc., is balked which is effectually stopped by some obstacle. To thwart is to defeat by some force or action coming across the path. To circumvent is to gain an advantage by passing around; “to get round” a person or a scheme. Compare CONQUER, HINDER. Antonyms: abet, advance, aid, assist, encourage, help, promote, prosper.