1. Confuse or leave at a loss because of something complex or difficult to understand
   "These questions baffle even the experts";
   - confuse, throw, fox, befuddle, fuddle, bedevil, confound, discombobulate [informal], perplex, vex, stick, get, puzzle, mystify, beat, pose, bewilder, flummox, stupefy, nonplus, gravel, dumbfound
    
2. Hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
   "Their defensive strategy baffled all attempts to score";
   - thwart, queer [informal], spoil, scotch, foil, cross, frustrate, bilk [informal], scupper [informal]
    
3. Restrain the emission of (sound, fluid, etc.)
   "The muffler baffles the engine noise";
   - regulate

1. A flat plate that controls or directs the flow of fluid or energy
   "The engineer installed a baffle in the exhaust system to reduce noise";
   - baffle board

Derived forms: baffled, baffling, baffles

Type of: affect, bear on, bear upon, forbid, foreclose, forestall, hold back, impact, keep, keep back, plate, preclude, prevent, restrain

Encyclopedia: Baffle