Synonyms of puzzle

puzzle 1 of 3

noun

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

• mystery
• enigma
• riddle
• conundrum
• problem
• why
• secret
• puzzlement
• mystification
• closed book
• challenge
• head-scratcher
• matter
• brainteaser
• perplexity
• poser
• trouble
• stumper
• case
• knot

puzzle

2 of 3

verb (1)

ˈpə-zəl 

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

• baffle
• perplex
• confuse
• bewilder
• maze
• pose
• mystify
• muddle
• rattle
• fox
• vex
• befuddle
• flummox
• discombobulate
• bemuse
• confound
• bother
• gravel
• embarrass
• fluster
• fuddle
• addle
• buffalo
• bamboozle
• get
• disturb
• stun
• disorient
• muddy
• upset
• beat
• befog
• blow one's mind
• stick
• stump
• distress
• unsettle
• go to one's head
• disconcert
• nonplus
• trick
• discomfort
• weird out
• faze
• agitate
• disquiet
• hoax
• discomfit
• snow
• mortify
• deceive
• abash
• unhinge
• discountenance
• perturb
• dismay
• discompose
• fool
• chagrin
• gull
• humbug
• delude
• mislead
• string along
• dupe
• take in
• beguile
• hoodwink
• cozen
• misguide

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assure
• satisfy
• inform
• reassure
• enlighten

puzzle (out)

3 of 3

verb (2)

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

• solve
• unravel
• answer
• figure out
• resolve
• work out
• riddle (out)
• work
• dope (out)
• crack
• decipher
• conclude
• straighten (out)
• decide
• unriddle
• break
• clear (up)
• infer
• gather
• judge
• guess
• iron out
• deduce
• reason
• divine
• assume
• speculate
• presume
• conjecture
• unscramble
• decode
• untie
• untangle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of puzzle

Noun

Each of these engagements and upgrades on our standards is a piece of the larger puzzle of building a sustainable, inclusive, just and caring world that’s full of meaning and joy. —Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Here's what to knowLooking for a free mini puzzle? —Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Sep. 2025

Verb

Staying away from puzzling lines like this is typically the best move. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

This switcheroo has puzzled many scientists. —Deborah Fuller, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025

Phrases Containing puzzle

• puzzle (out)