as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
the conundrum of how an ancient people were able to build such massive structures without the benefit of today's knowledge and technology
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of conundrum
At the heart of every crisis between Washington and Tehran since 1979 has been the conundrum of how these two former allies, which aided each other throughout the Cold War, can ever rebuild that trust.
—
Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
But even a young woman struggling with the patriarchal conundrum of cool-girl syndrome (to be independent and accepted) might reveal more of a snappish turn of mind than Grace does.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
There were too many injuries, too many different lineups, too many untimely freak plays and clutch conundrums.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
That’s the key behind a philosophical conundrum known as the past hypothesis puzzle.
—Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conundrum
Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
But even a young woman struggling with the patriarchal conundrum of cool-girl syndrome (to be independent and accepted) might reveal more of a snappish turn of mind than Grace does.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
There were too many injuries, too many different lineups, too many untimely freak plays and clutch conundrums.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
That’s the key behind a philosophical conundrum known as the past hypothesis puzzle.
—Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conundrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conundrum
Noun
-
The authors represent several genres, including mystery, romance, young adult, children’s picture books, graphic novels and nonfiction.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Everything is going to plan when, just hours after launch, a series of unexplained events engulf Sutherland in mystery and risks destroying everything Mirren’s been striving for.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Suga was an enigma to the producers.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Even as a unifying hypothesis was forming, the disease remained an enigma.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conundrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conundrum. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
