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

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