as in mysteries
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 baffles
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 puzzles
Ekaterina Muravevskaia, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Earlier tests measured relatively abstract capabilities on reasoning puzzles and exam-style questions.
—Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Her morning routine includes reading the New York Times, completing puzzles, going to Pilates and especially having her daily green juice.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Here are 5 of the biggest unsolved puzzles of all.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025
The sale will feature books for all ages, as well as puzzles, games, DVDs, CDs and Blu-Ray, and Friends volunteers will have their handmade items for sale.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2025
Books, puzzles, electronics, action figures and more will be showcased.
—Molly Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
Those checkpoints included various puzzles, math, and — a series signature — an eating stop.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Combat isn't everything, however; Silent Hill f has plenty of puzzles, riddles, and secrets scattered throughout the world, providing a satisfying challenge.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
These are not just research puzzles but ethical responsibilities.
—Ekaterina Muravevskaia, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Earlier tests measured relatively abstract capabilities on reasoning puzzles and exam-style questions.
—Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Her morning routine includes reading the New York Times, completing puzzles, going to Pilates and especially having her daily green juice.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Here are 5 of the biggest unsolved puzzles of all.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025
The sale will feature books for all ages, as well as puzzles, games, DVDs, CDs and Blu-Ray, and Friends volunteers will have their handmade items for sale.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2025
Books, puzzles, electronics, action figures and more will be showcased.
—Molly Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
Those checkpoints included various puzzles, math, and — a series signature — an eating stop.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Combat isn't everything, however; Silent Hill f has plenty of puzzles, riddles, and secrets scattered throughout the world, providing a satisfying challenge.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzles
Noun
-
Also, any excuse to watch Bill Nighy, who stars as Doctor Lazarus, whose death plunges his forensic psychologist son (Sam Clafin) into a labyrinth of family mysteries.—
Emily Temple
September 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Director Jean-François Poisson’s film centers on the lingering questions and mysteries surrounding the demise of the Expos.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One case that still baffles is the macabre story of Virginia McCullough, who killed her parents for their money – and then lived with their bodies for four years.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Typically caused by a sensitive immune system — which confuses innocuous bacteria for harmful pathogens — symptoms include fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss, anemia, skin changes, arthritis and more.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The disinformation pushed by these types of influencers confuses audiences, leaves them less informed, and erodes trust in actual journalism.—
Taylor Lorenz,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The designs were puckish and gender-bending, evoking both awe and repulsion—the sort of clothing that titillates lovers of conceptual fashion and bewilders the uninitiated.—
Ana Karina Zatarain,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Wedged in the far southeastern corner of the bottom of the continent, between South Africa and Mozambique, Eswatini is the last absolute monarchy in Africa, a status that bewilders modernizers and beguiles traditionalists.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzles. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share