1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

conundrum

noun

kə-ˈnən-drəm How to pronounce conundrum (audio)
Definition of conundrumnext
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 The pantry, Valley Interfaith Community Resource Center, recognized the men’s conundrum. — Claire Galofaro, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 The conundrum of Putinism is that strategic mediocrity can enhance the regime’s durability—if not forever, then for quite a while. — Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026 This conundrum has led to the rise of Coast FI (short for Coast Financial Independence). — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026 The quarterback conundrum continues for the Atlanta Falcons this week following Tua Tagovailoa’s injury at practice. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conundrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conundrum
  1. mystery
  2. enigma
Noun
  • The mystery endured for decades until investigators traced one of nearly 30 keys found on him to Jacksonville, Florida, where Betkouski had lived.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Alpöge has continued to explore other mathematical mysteries.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of mystery
Noun
  • Despite centuries of scientific research, the human brain remains an enigma.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Zelda remains an enigma, but increasingly an enigma flying some red flags.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of enigma

Browse Nearby Words

contusions
conundrum
conundrums
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Conundrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conundrum. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All