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

For women in perimenopause and menopause, when hormones feel unpredictable and symptoms can be frustrating (er, infuriating) and vague, having a tool that makes at least one piece of the internal puzzle visible can be empowering. —Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 18 Feb. 2026

Other offerings included paintings, candles, soaps, puzzles, jewelry, scarves and blankets. —Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026

Verb

He was puzzled by friends who bought band T-shirts and obsessed over concerts. —Shayla Love, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026

Yes, Tuesday night’s concert was also occasionally puzzling in its choices. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026

Phrases Containing puzzle

• puzzle (out)