What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
baffle
Example
The math problem completely baffled me. [baffled: past tense verb]
Example
Her response to the question baffled everyone in the room. [baffled: adjective]
bewilder
Example
The maze bewildered the participants, and they struggled to find their way out. [bewildered: past tense verb]
Example
His sudden change in behavior bewildered his friends. [bewildered: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Baffle is more commonly used than bewilder in everyday language. Baffle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while bewilder is less common and tends to be used in specific situations where a stronger sense of confusion or disorientation is conveyed.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between baffle and bewilder?
Both baffle and bewilder are relatively formal words, suitable for both written and spoken English in various contexts.
