maze

1 of 2

noun

ˈmāz 

1

a

: a confusing intricate network of passages

b

: something confusingly elaborate or complicated

a maze of regulations

2

chiefly dialectal : a state of bewilderment

mazelike

ˈmāz-ˌlīk 

adjective

maze

2 of 2

verb

mazed; mazing

transitive verb

1

chiefly dialectal : stupefy, daze

2

: bewilder, perplex

Synonyms of maze

Noun

• labyrinth

Verb

• puzzle
• baffle
• confuse
• bewilder
• perplex

Examples of maze in a Sentence

Noun

The experiment measured the time it took for a mouse to find its way through a maze to get its reward of cheese.

The school is a maze of classrooms.

a maze of rules and regulations

Verb

I'm completely mazed by the multitude of plans for health insurance.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Our group — two reporters, a photographer and a video journalist — went through security and, camera rolling, wound our way through the maze of the midcentury building. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2026

The most gratifying facet of being an agent was guiding gifted artists through the maze of potential opportunities and pitfalls that constitute careers in Hollywood. — Rick Nicita, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

The policy comes as automatic renewals, confusing checkout processes, and cancellation mazes have become fixtures of the consumer experience. — Lindsay Owens, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

The design features a maze of winding spiderwebs and tiny spiders dangling from the edges for a look that’s sure to bewitch party guests. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing maze

• corn maze

Rhymes for maze

• baize
• bays
• blase
• blaze
• braes
• braze
• chaise
• claes
• clays
• craze
• dais
• days

Kids Definition

maze

noun

ˈmāz

1

: a confusing complicated network of passages

2

: something complicated or elaborate

a confusing maze of regulations

Medical Definition

maze

noun

ˈmāz 

: a path complicated by at least one blind alley and used in learning experiments and in intelligence tests