What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
baffle
Example
The complex math problem completely baffled me. [baffled: past tense verb]
Example
The magician's tricks always baffle the audience. [baffle: verb]
perplex
Example
The professor's explanation only served to further perplex the students. [perplex: verb]
Example
The mysterious disappearance of the keys perplexed everyone. [perplexed: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Baffle is more commonly used than perplex in everyday language. Baffle is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while perplex is slightly more formal and may be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between baffle and perplex?
While both baffle and perplex can be used in both formal and informal contexts, perplex is slightly more formal than baffle.
