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
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 puzzle
Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2025
But beneath the optimism lies a complex web of engineering puzzles, regulatory challenges, and the daunting task of building an entirely new engine.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2025
The second-year player, whom the Tigers moved to first base this winter to accommodate signing Torres, went 0-for-5, looking puzzled on each trip to the plate.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Noun
The other piece of the sonic puzzle moves into higher territory, before yielding to the electrostatic modules.
—Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2025
But beneath the optimism lies a complex web of engineering puzzles, regulatory challenges, and the daunting task of building an entirely new engine.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
What’s particularly puzzling is that just days before the tell-all aired, viewers watched Jasmine and Gino recommit to their relationship in the March 25 finale.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2025
The second-year player, whom the Tigers moved to first base this winter to accommodate signing Torres, went 0-for-5, looking puzzled on each trip to the plate.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzle
Noun
-
All the Europeans trying to get into WWE was such a mystery about it.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
-
But for 130 years, the location of the infamous roots was a mystery.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Two endangered whales are baffling researchers by continuing to show up along a stretch of U.S coast that is not part of their turf, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The haphazard cuts to major projects in red states like Ohio baffled some stakeholders.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Multiple voices in one hand blended into fistfuls of color, and perplexing emphases on accompaniment figures served to distract, rather than elucidate, the musical argument.—
Luke Schulze,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Dahl was especially perplexed by the response to Evans’s fall.—
Ronan Farrow,
The New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
No one was going to confuse Colossal with the Sierra Club.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Few foods confuse foreign visitors quite like brunost, Norwegian brown cheese.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Across the street, her husband Steve, who nursed Molly through her first fight with breast cancer a few years earlier, sits bewildered in the office of their couples therapist.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Carlie thinks the whole thing is hilarious, and Chelsea remains bewildered by any King Cake Baby obsession.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Axios,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzle. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share