Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

puzzle

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of puzzle

something hard to understand or explain

  • the final fate of the colonists at Roanoke remains a puzzle to this very day
Synonyms of puzzle

closed book, conundrum, enigma, head-scratcher, mystery, mystification, puzzlement, riddle, secret, why
Words Related to puzzle

brainteaser, case, challenge, knot, matter, perplexity, poser, problem, stumper, trouble

Synonym Discussion of puzzle

mystery, problem, enigma, riddle, puzzle mean something which baffles or perplexes. 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
problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.
    • problems created by high technology
enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.
    • his suicide remains an enigma
riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.
    • the riddle of the reclusive pop star
puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.
    • the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

puzzle

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of puzzle

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty

  • it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors
Synonyms of puzzle

addle, baffle, bamboozle, beat, befog, befuddle, bemuse, bewilder, buffalo, confound, confuse, discombobulate, disorient, flummox, fox, fuddle, get, gravel, maze, muddle, muddy, mystify, perplex, pose, vex
Words Related to puzzle

stick, stump, weird out

abash, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle

agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, stun, unhinge, unsettle, upset

beguile, cozen, deceive, delude, dupe, fool, gull, hoax, hoodwink, humbug, misguide, mislead, snow, string along, take in, trick
Phrases Synonymous with puzzle

blow one's mind, go to one's head
Near Antonyms of puzzle

assure, reassure, satisfy

enlighten, inform

Synonym Discussion of puzzle

puzzle, perplex, bewilder, distract, nonplus, confound, dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally. puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.
    • the persistent fever puzzled the doctor
perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.
    • a behavior that perplexed her friends
bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.
    • a bewildering number of possibilities
distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.
    • distracted by personal problems
nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.
    • the remark left us utterly nonplussed
confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.
    • the tragic news confounded us all
dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.
    • was at first too dumbfounded to reply

Learn More about puzzle

  1. See words that rhyme with puzzle Dictionary: Definition of puzzle Spanish Central: Translation of puzzle Nglish: Translation of puzzle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of puzzle for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up puzzle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

immure

to enclose within walls

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. synergy Mueller files Cohen details.

  2. slumgullion From the broadcast of 'It Happened on Fifth Avenue'

  3. endgame Marvel's Avengers: Endgame

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games