puzzling

adjective

puz·​zling ˈpə-zə-liŋ How to pronounce puzzling (audio)
ˈpəz-liŋ
: difficult to understand or solve
puzzling symptoms
puzzlingly adverb

Examples of puzzling in a Sentence

The directions are somewhat puzzling.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The third category, which is perhaps the most puzzling, comprises a bona fide enthusiasm for tallow—which, to be fair, makes a delicious french fry. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2024 The game is unabashedly inspired by the creaky strangeness of PS1-era horror games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, which famously filled their many empty rooms with puzzling, rusty dread. Ashley Bardhan, Vulture, 13 June 2024 The most puzzling reveal was a new suspect sketch, reportedly drawn early in 2017. Aja Romano, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024 These conflicting versions created a puzzling cognitive dissonance. Lane Sainty, The Arizona Republic, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for puzzling 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puzzling was circa 1659

Dictionary Entries Near puzzling

Cite this Entry

“Puzzling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puzzling. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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