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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning
I was able to puzzle out the riddle in a fairly short time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Many economists and financial analysts seem puzzled by Americans’ uneasiness about business conditions.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 18 May 2026
The Boeing order is especially puzzling as China is rolling out its indigenous C919 passenger aircraft with great fanfare.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 May 2026
As the round progressed, DeChambeau’s body language went from purposeful to puzzled to downright peeved, which is something of a typical descent for DeChambeau.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Verb
The ways of the whites puzzled the Indians.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Many economists and financial analysts seem puzzled by Americans’ uneasiness about business conditions.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 18 May 2026
The Boeing order is especially puzzling as China is rolling out its indigenous C919 passenger aircraft with great fanfare.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 May 2026
As the round progressed, DeChambeau’s body language went from purposeful to puzzled to downright peeved, which is something of a typical descent for DeChambeau.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzle
Verb
-
But he was baffled as to why people are now incensed over pickleball courts.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2026
-
For more than four minutes Darnold drove downfield, connecting on three of four passes, baffling the pass rushers, bleeding the clock, and by the time the Seahawks finally gave the ball back, the Rams had only 25 seconds to live.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Despite having tiny brains, bumblebees have demonstrated a remarkable ability to socially learn how to use tools, solve simple puzzles, and cooperate to achieve a goal.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2026
-
Palantir solved the prisoner’s dilemma by defecting first.—
Michael Gregory,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Aryna Sabalenka being asked to dance after defeating Naomi Osaka in the French Open has one former American tennis star perplexed.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
Democrats have been particularly perplexed given the state's top-two primary system, which places all candidates on a single ballot regardless of party.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Multiple investigations at the state and local level are underway to unravel the full cause of the near disaster.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Migrations that looked well managed in every update (on schedule, signed off, nothing flagged) often unraveled the moment real customer traffic hit the new environment.—
Liam Dunne,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Instead, the ideologues of Russian imperialism have turned to random musings and belligerent hate speech, which seems intended to confuse rather than convince.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
-
Relocating a bird's nest is confusing for the parents, dangerous for the eggs, and, in most cases, against the law.—
Blythe Copeland,
Martha Stewart,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
As was ever the case, the Babe returned fire, answering the heckles by mocking the Cubs players and disdaining their fans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Russian athletes are routinely asked to answer for the actions of their government, yet athletes from other countries are rarely subjected to the same scrutiny or treated as though they are personally aligned with war criminals or dictators.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Similarly, the defensively bewildering 9-6 loss the Wild suffered to start Round 2 in Colorado set the tone for five games that would ultimately be their undoing.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
3 June 2026
-
Former Republican state senator Jeff Brandes, who now leads the Florida Policy Project, said he was bewildered by the governor's proposal.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
But a team of MIT chemists has figured out how to make plastics vastly stronger by engineering them to break.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
That suggests area hotels may be close to figuring out a pricing sweet spot.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
