PUZZLES Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

puzzles 1 of 2

noun

plural of puzzle

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

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puzzles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of puzzle

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

Noun

Take along complete puzzles in good condition to trade for something new from the collection. — Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 29 July 2026 There are also plenty of games and activities for sale in the hotel store, including watercolor kits, colorful punch balloons, activity books, knitting kits, pick-up sticks, puzzles, toys, and more. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026 Players navigate impossible architecture and perspective-bending puzzles as reality twists around them. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 July 2026 The lowest score came from The Guardian, which handed it two stars out of five, while Giant Bomb landed positive overall with a complaint that the boss fights lean on damage sponges more than puzzles. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 The puzzles will also be promoted in various newsletters and articles. — Will Jeanes, New York Times, 20 July 2026 With whole language reading and writing materials, words are studied in context rather than looked at as individual puzzles to solve. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2026 Providing chew toys for cats along with food puzzles and rotating play options can help channel that energy. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026 Don’t Let Children Damage Books or Other Merchandise Most bookstores have a dedicated children’s section with books, toys, puzzles, and other kid-friendly merchandise. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 15 July 2026

Verb

These Companies Are Ready To Cash In Sixsmith argues his firm is unusual in pushing more traders through to genuine live accounts, which is why the reluctance to go there puzzles him. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 The pitch can move to either direction of the plate — a profile that still puzzles his teammates and pitch recognition tools. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 July 2026 Although many economists say the market was overvalued and a decline was inevitable, what triggered the crash is open to debate, and the sheer magnitude of the drop still puzzles economists. — Barbara Hagenbaugh, USA Today, 22 June 2026 What still puzzles me, amid all these noteworthy projects, is Dudamel’s way with the standard repertory. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 These word puzzles all covertly reference the years-old disappearance of Charlie, Martha’s brilliant older sister. — The Know, Denver Post, 4 June 2026 The lineage of these hybrids traces back to Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island, a discovery that still puzzles scientists today. — ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026 While everyone else puzzles it over, Coe is already on his way to the multi-faith ceremony at Abbotsfield, where Mayor Jaffrey is joining other mourners to honor the 11 people killed in the assault that opened the season. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzles

Noun

Known as Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, or KHI, the swirling patterns could explain enduring solar mysteries, such as why the sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, is much hotter than its surface.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
That's the age of the lead character of Lee's seventh novel; Jeon-Gi is a fumbling initiate into the bewildering mysteries of preadolescence.

— Colin Dwyer, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of mysteries

Verb

Meanwhile, McGrew agreed to adjustments, including adding baffles to reduce sound from a attached generator for the tower and replacing tower fencing that incorporated barbed wire with taller, more natural looking fencing.

— Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Using humane methods like squirrel baffles and tree nets can effectively keep squirrels out of your fruit trees.

— Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026

Definition of baffles

Verb

These opportunists drown out the core mission, creating a cacophony of competing voices that confuses donors, crowd the inboxes of CEOs and members of Congress with colliding petitions, and paralyzes meaningful action by draining critical funding and attention away from the truly effective groups.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026
But nobody confuses Harvard Extension School classes with the real thing.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of confuses

Verb

As fans of the comedian know, Ali G is a streetwise interviewer whose hip hop slang often bewilders guests such as Noam Chomsky, Andy Rooney and Newt Gingrich.

— Brent Lang, Variety, 7 July 2026
The narrator and his wife find that their attachment to the charismatic and cryptic Chibi grows with the cat’s increasing visits, in a way that bewilders them but somehow bonds them closer together.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026