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

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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