puzzle

verb

puz·zle | \ ˈpə-zəl

puzzled; puzzling\ ˈpə-zə-liŋ

, ˈpəz-liŋ \

Definition of puzzle

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to offer or represent to (someone) a problem difficult to solve or a situation difficult to resolve : challenge mentally also : to exert (oneself, one's mind, etc.) 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

puzzle

noun

Definition of puzzle (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the state of being puzzled : perplexity

2a : something that puzzles

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

Other Words from puzzle Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about puzzle

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for puzzle

Verb

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

Noun

mystery, problem, enigma, riddle, puzzle mean something which baffles or perplexes. mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation. the mystery of the stone monoliths problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern. problems created by high technology enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret. his suicide remains an enigma riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction. the riddle of the reclusive pop star puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution. the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

Examples of puzzle in a Sentence

Verb

The cause of the accident has puzzled investigators. it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Economists were puzzled by the decline because reports from individual retailers in recent weeks, though soft, hadn’t suggested such a disappointing holiday season. — Harriet Torry, WSJ, "Retail Sales Declined in December at Fastest Pace Since 2009," 14 Feb. 2019 Residents observed a rare but breathtaking natural phenomena that puzzles scientists to this day. — Caroline Picard, House Beautiful, "Watch the Mesmerizing "Earthquake Lights" That Lit Up New Zealand's Sky," 14 Nov. 2016 The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has been puzzled by the claims from the president, according to Fox News. — John T. Bennett, The Seattle Times, "Trump says California diverts water that should be used against fires," 6 Aug. 2018 It's now estimated that over a third of children and adolescents are overweight, but doctors are still puzzled as to why one Colombian baby is suffering from inexplicably rapid weight gain. — Andrea Fowler, Redbook, "Parents Desperate to Find Solution to 10-Month-Old's Weight Issue," 16 Jan. 2015 Whether that means going through oils that are leaking in the kitchen, toys that are broken in the playroom, puzzles with missing pieces, etc., these are the items that are easy to get rid of right off the bat. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "The Home Edit Founders Share Their Top Organizing Tips for 2019," 29 Jan. 2019 In decades of searching for the Golden State Killer, investigators have been puzzled by one mystery more than many of the others. — Shelby Grad, latimes.com, "Essential California: A Golden State Killer mystery," 2 May 2018 Porsha has made other puzzling statements on the show. — Ashley Weatherford, The Cut, "The Wigs on The Real Housewives of Atlanta Are Their Own Characters," 29 Mar. 2018 He was similarly puzzled when asked Thursday, citing statutes that compel prosecutors to turn over exculpatory evidence. — Anita Chabria And Darrell Smith, sacbee, "This mother is demanding a test for DNA, even if it proves her son is guilty of rape | The Sacramento Bee," 4 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Photo: Fondazione Accademia Carrara, Bergamo; Sotheby’s Since making his discovery, Mr Valagussa has unearthed evidence to suggest the Resurrection isn’t just the missing half of a masterpiece, but the lost piece in a much bigger puzzle. — John Hooper, WSJ, "At Long Last, Early Renaissance Works Are Reunited," 28 Nov. 2018 That may eventually help fill in another piece in the puzzle of Neanderthal extinction. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Neanderthal teeth reveal lead exposure and difficult winters," 31 Oct. 2018 Just like exercise, these are often pieces in the migraine puzzle. — Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, "Yes, Your Workouts Could Actually Be Triggering Your Migraines," 23 June 2018 This makes him a valuable, versatile piece in the offensive line puzzle for the team. — Paul Dehner Jr., Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Bengals 2018 NFL Draft Strategy: Center a game of press your luck," 21 Apr. 2018 BlueIndy is, however, a piece in Indianapolis' evolving transportation puzzle. — James Briggs, Indianapolis Star, "Briggs: I've been using BlueIndy for 4 months. Here's how it fits into Indianapolis transit.," 16 Mar. 2018 This one-piece just became the latest piece in the Perry and Bloom relationship puzzle. — Shannon Carlin, refinery29.com, "Katy Perry Is Saying So Much With This Orlando Bloom Onesie," 10 Mar. 2018 This year's egg hunt, hosted by Playworks dragon, encourages kids to decode an Easter puzzle by collecting colorful eggs throughout the museum. — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, "We Found the Best Easter Egg Hunts Near New York City," 11 Mar. 2019 Sega posted a photo of a sheep on the Bayonetta news feed this week, which calls to mind a prominent element of the 2011 puzzle game—and just in time for the PS4 remaster, due to release later this year. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Super Meat Boy for free, Sega teases a Catherine port," 4 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'puzzle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.