puzzle

¹puz·zle

verb \ˈpə-zəl\

puz·zledpuz·zling \ˈpə-zə-liŋ, ˈpəz-liŋ\

Definition of PUZZLE

transitive verb

1

: to offer or represent to (as a person) a problem difficult to solve or a situation difficult to resolve : challenge mentally; also : to exert (as oneself) over such a problem or situation <they puzzled their wits to find a solution>

2

archaic : complicate, entangle

3

: to solve with difficulty or ingenuity <puzzle out an answer to a riddle>

intransitive verb

1

: to be uncertain as to action or choice

2

: to attempt a solution of a puzzle by guesswork or experiment <puzzle over the mystery>

— puz·zler \ˈpə-zə-lər, ˈpəz-lər\ noun

Examples of PUZZLE

1. The cause of the accident has puzzled investigators.
2. <it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors>

Origin of PUZZLE

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1582

Related to PUZZLE

Synonyms

addle, baffle, bamboozle, beat, befog, befuddle, bemuse, bewilder, buffalo, confound, discombobulate, disorient, flummox, fox, fuddle, get, gravel, maze, muddle, muddy, mystify, perplex, pose, confuse, vex

Related Words

stick, stump, weird out; abash, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle; agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, stun, unhinge, unsettle, upset; beguile, cozen, deceive, delude, dupe, fool, gull, hoax, hoodwink, humbug, misguide, mislead, snow, string along, take in, trick

Near Antonyms

assure, reassure, satisfy; enlighten, inform

Synonym Discussion of PUZZLE

puzzle, perplex, bewilder, distract, nonplus, confound, dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally. puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve <the persistent fever puzzled the doctor>. perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision <a behavior that perplexed her friends>. bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking <a bewildering number of possibilities>. distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests <distracted by personal problems>. nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible <the remark left us utterly nonplussed>. confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement <the tragic news confounded us all>. dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound <was at first too dumbfounded to reply>.

Rhymes with PUZZLE

guzzle, muzzle, nuzzle

²puzzle

noun

Definition of PUZZLE

1

: the state of being puzzled : perplexity

2

a : something that puzzles

b : a question, problem, or contrivance designed for testing ingenuity

Examples of PUZZLE

1. a book of puns, riddles, and puzzles
2. <the final fate of the colonists at Roanoke remains a puzzle to this very day>

First Known Use of PUZZLE

circa 1612

Related to PUZZLE

Synonyms

closed book, conundrum, enigma, head-scratcher, mystification, mystery, puzzlement, riddle, secret

Related Words

brainteaser, case, challenge, knot, matter, perplexity, poser, problem, stumper, trouble

See Synonym Discussion at mystery

Other Game Terms

bezique, carom, convention, crap, euchre, gambit, monte, parlay, tierce

Rhymes with PUZZLE

muzzle