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
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
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
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Recent Examples of puzzle
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Models are tasked with challenges with verifiable answers—like math puzzles or coding problems—and are then rewarded for taking the series of actions that yields the solution.
—Harry Booth, Time, 3 June 2025
Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
An absorbing and at times, puzzling blend of genres ranging from drama to body horror tells the story of an African immigrant who both craves something more and deserves a lot better than the hand she’s been dealt.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Noun
The company’s video game mantra since its Nintendo Entertainment System days has been to show gaming and play as a medium full of possibilities, using world-building, competition and puzzles to enchant.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Models are tasked with challenges with verifiable answers—like math puzzles or coding problems—and are then rewarded for taking the series of actions that yields the solution.
—Harry Booth, Time, 3 June 2025
Verb
Claver-Carone and people close to Rubio said they are puzzled by press reports in Argentina — whose officials Claver-Carone has crossed at times — suggesting his exit was due to the two Cuban Americans not getting along.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
An absorbing and at times, puzzling blend of genres ranging from drama to body horror tells the story of an African immigrant who both craves something more and deserves a lot better than the hand she’s been dealt.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzle
mystery
Noun
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This was a period during which the red planet seemed to be ready to give up some of its mystery.—
Matthew Shindell,
The Conversation,
6 June 2025
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The mysteries of Césaire’s work and life have been an open question of Martiniquan, French, and wider Caribbean history.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzle. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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