Through sounding baffled or confused (5)
I believe the answer is:
threw
'confused' is the definition.
('throw' can be a synonym of 'confuse')
'through sounding' is the wordplay.
'sounding' shows a homophone (sound like).
'through' sounds like 'THREW'.
'baffled or' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for threw that I've seen before include "Disconcerted" , "'Hurled, flung (5)'" , "Cast" , "Propelled through the air" , "Projected through the air" .)