1
as in inexplicable
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in perplexing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in baffling
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puzzling
Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Sorrentino’s silky sleek yet rather empty cipher is alluring, puzzling and even quite funny, whether that’s always its maker’s intention or not.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Evan Bush, NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
The recent sightings of puzzling unidentified aircraft in New Jersey and other states have triggered yet another round of unanswered questions — and fueled conspiracy theories.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puzzling
Adjective
The sad story of Alex Verdugo was one of the most puzzling dramas of the MLB offseason.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Sorrentino’s silky sleek yet rather empty cipher is alluring, puzzling and even quite funny, whether that’s always its maker’s intention or not.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
But in several puzzling cases, no source of infection has been identified.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
The recent sightings of puzzling unidentified aircraft in New Jersey and other states have triggered yet another round of unanswered questions — and fueled conspiracy theories.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puzzling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzling
Adjective
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Great moments should always possess an inexplicable quality and this one had plenty of those.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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Trump, too, has inexplicable lapses of babbling and has fallen asleep at inauspicious moments.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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What’s even more perplexing is that the brothers booked plane tickets to Boston for March 7, the day before they were found dead.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
28 May 2025
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Even more perplexing: If shutting off service to new customers without an account is their strict policy, why wait until Friday to execute it?—
Ryan Minton,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Four thousand years ago, however, Crete was also a crossroads dominated by a mysterious and largely still poorly understood Bronze Age culture that predated classical Greece.—
Bruce Dorminey,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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The movie is led by Tom Hiddleston as the titular, mysterious Chuck Krantz, with a supporting cast that includes Mark Hamill, Mia Sara, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Matthew Lillard, Annalise Basso and Kate Siegel.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Some baffling decisions were made that fundamentally alter not only her characterization and arc, but the very nature of the story itself.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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These new elements are neither remarkable nor unwelcome, but devoting time to them at the expense of Stitch is an utterly baffling decision.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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What was over the hill was unknown and what went on behind a nation's borders was incomprehensible.—
David Szondy
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2025
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How he was even charged as a result of this situation is incomprehensible.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Your team will look to you for a sense of stability and purpose when things are unclear.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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The extent of the advance is unclear, as are Moscow’s ambitions for the assault.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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The bizarre blackouts are first explained with a bizarre hit-and-run that shook Larkin months earlier.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
8 June 2025
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To some, this may sound bizarre, laughable, or even just plain sad.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Over time, however, the label lost credibility—undermined by vague accounting, low-quality offsets, and limited transparency.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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On the surface, Brunson’s comments were vague – even harmless.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzling. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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