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.