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
Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, and word puzzles can help activate and train your long-term memory, visual perception, and problem-solving skills.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 7 Nov. 2025
Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
By the end of the second day, Cormican was puzzled.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Noun
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, and word puzzles can help activate and train your long-term memory, visual perception, and problem-solving skills.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
The news of Luke Bell’s death made national news quickly, which puzzled his family and friends.
—Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
By the end of the second day, Cormican was puzzled.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzle
mystery
Noun
-
In the leadup to its debut, the Apple TV/Sony Pictures Television show has been shrouded in secrecy — a decision that lends itself supremely well to a mystery-box sci-fi thriller that is equal parts philosophical conundrum and blood-chilling horror.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
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When the day of the follow-up scan finally arrived, the mystery was solved—not triplets, but twins.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzle. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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