puzzle 1 of 2

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

puzzle

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun puzzle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of puzzle are enigma, mystery, problem, and riddle. While all these words mean "something which baffles or perplexes," puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.

the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

When is enigma a more appropriate choice than puzzle?

While in some cases nearly identical to puzzle, enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.

his suicide remains an enigma

Where would mystery be a reasonable alternative to puzzle?

Although the words mystery and puzzle have much in common, mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.

the mystery of the stone monoliths

When would problem be a good substitute for puzzle?

While the synonyms problem and puzzle are close in meaning, problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

problems created by high technology

When might riddle be a better fit than puzzle?

The meanings of riddle and puzzle largely overlap; however, riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.

the riddle of the reclusive pop star

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
Noun
These two puzzles are both relevant to the fundamental properties and constituents of the Universe, but as far as the resolution goes, that will have to await our scientific future. Big Think, 17 Oct. 2025 Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
The mystery is less about who’s involved in the game afoot, as alert audiences piecing together context clues will be immediately aware of those nefarious parties upon their introductions, and is more about the puzzling lengths the filmmakers go to in planting contrived red herrings. Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025 To puzzle that out, Douglass looked for clues of social identity and affiliation among ancient artifacts. Ari Daniel, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzle
Noun
  • In the forties, exactly how the body dealt with starvation remained a mystery.
    Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2025
  • At this time, Mone's mystery opponent has not been listed internally.
    Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But the immediacy around these conversations about the Titans are baffling to me.
    Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Oct. 2025
  • And suddenly, Glenn and the Jets headed to halftime without running a play in the nearly 40 seconds at their disposal, a move that baffled both their loyalists in New Jersey and the Broncos’ sideline across the pond.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Illston appeared frustrated and perplexed by the government's unwillingness to engage on the merits during the hearing.
    Andrea Hsu, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The 18 runs plundered off one over was the most Jasprit Bumrah had ever conceded in Tests, leaving the bowler perplexed as he was replaced.
    Sam Dalling, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But too often, this instinct to chase conflict distorts reality and confuses the public.
    Nancy Gibbs, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
  • This view confuses structure with behavior.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The sense of arbitrariness that had previously bewildered and frustrated me was drowned out by excitement and sheer aesthetic pleasure.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Cody Meissner, a pediatric professor at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine who has served on ACIP in the past—arguably the most qualified of Kennedy's new lineup—was bewildered at why the committee was rehashing the issue addressed years ago.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzle. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on puzzle

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!