as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
the final fate of the colonists at Roanoke remains a puzzle to this very day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to baffle
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of puzzle
Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, and word puzzles can help activate and train your long-term memory, visual perception, and problem-solving skills.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 7 Nov. 2025
Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
By the end of the second day, Cormican was puzzled.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Noun
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, and word puzzles can help activate and train your long-term memory, visual perception, and problem-solving skills.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
The news of Luke Bell’s death made national news quickly, which puzzled his family and friends.
—Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
By the end of the second day, Cormican was puzzled.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzle
Noun
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In the leadup to its debut, the Apple TV/Sony Pictures Television show has been shrouded in secrecy — a decision that lends itself supremely well to a mystery-box sci-fi thriller that is equal parts philosophical conundrum and blood-chilling horror.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
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When the day of the follow-up scan finally arrived, the mystery was solved—not triplets, but twins.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.—
Arthur Allen,
NPR,
9 Jan. 2026
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Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.—
Arthur Allen,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The disjunction between the abstract composition and the notion of self-portraiture appeared perplexing in its own right; its inoperability only exacerbated the viewer’s frustration and redoubled the artist’s impish provocation.—
Ara H. Merjian,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
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But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The 40-year-old cooks up ways to make quarterbacks miserable in his sleep, devising schemes that are meant to lure as much as they are intended to confuse.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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Canales-Pelaez said that local departments may be confusing administrative warrants with criminal ones, or overcomplying to avoid backlash from the state Legislature.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The canine, clearly confused, stared up, visibly bewildered and waiting patiently for the affection to finally land.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
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Nandi is experiencing severe insomnia, tremors and psychosis, and her quickly deteriorating condition bewilders the emergency room staff.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzle. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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