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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Recent Examples of conundrum
After snagging Cam Ward and Carson Beck over the past two offseasons, UM has come up short so far this time around, leaving the Canes facing something of a conundrum for 2026.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Moll says he was really struck by the professionalism of the whole NASA team in working through this conundrum.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 14 Jan. 2026
The limitations can turn even common ailments — such as toothaches or ear pain — into difficult medical conundrums.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Mims’ usage remains one of the biggest conundrums surrounding Denver’s offense.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conundrum
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Moll says he was really struck by the professionalism of the whole NASA team in working through this conundrum.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 14 Jan. 2026
The limitations can turn even common ailments — such as toothaches or ear pain — into difficult medical conundrums.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Mims’ usage remains one of the biggest conundrums surrounding Denver’s offense.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conundrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conundrum
Noun
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The film presents a fable in which a cop and a machine find their way through the maze of this mystery, essentially arguing that law enforcement should have access to this kind of surveillance.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
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Scientists may have solved a cosmic mystery that has been troubling them since the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) began observations back in 2022.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The enigma of the past year was that this new phenomenon of an aggressive America did not cause a balance of threat.—
Andreas Kluth,
Twin Cities,
22 Jan. 2026
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Their sudden exit from the fossil record has remained one of anthropology’s most enduring enigmas, until now.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conundrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conundrum. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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