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

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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 In elegant, ambitious prose, Thien more than hints at many modern conundrums—like the refugee crisis. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025 How can Israel avoid this kind of conundrum in the future? Meredith Wolf Schizer, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025 India has found itself at the center of the geopolitical maelstrom, and is now on the precipice of its own economic conundrum. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 26 Aug. 2025 Putting the 6-foot-4-inch-sized elephant in the room to the side for a moment, both sides have conundrums to resolve at opposing ends of the pitch. Jack Bantock, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conundrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conundrum
Noun
  • These fossils are now helping to solve a mystery in paleontology.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
  • At the baseline, that means making sure not to let the trash can overflow and instead taking it out often, as well as ensuring spots like your trash can, sink disposal, or fridge are free of any mystery odors.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • More Michael Owens/Getty Images Leonard has always been regarded as an enigma because of his chronic injury problems and his extremely introverted (and some would say odd) personality.
    Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The formula for a modern-day It-girl is both something of an enigma and pretty simple.
    Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2025

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“Conundrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conundrum. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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