Main Entry: ¹puz·zle

Pronunciation: \ˈpə-zəl\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): puz·zled; puz·zling \ˈpə-zə-liŋ, ˈpəz-liŋ\

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1582

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

synonyms 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>.