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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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
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Recent Examples of puzzles
Joe Van Ryn, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
—James Powel, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Players will be able to switch battle track genres and create mashups, play puzzles and explore dungeon adventuring mechanics.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
The result is work that asks questions without presenting them as puzzles to be solved.
—Kristen Roupenian, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
This group included activities like reading, doing puzzles, engaging in hobbies such as knitting or sewing, or working on a computer in a way that involves thinking and processing information.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
—Jason Hidalgo, The Providence Journal, 6 Apr. 2026
This might include card games, fidget toys, coloring books, brain puzzles, magazines, sticker books—whatever your kid likes.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 6 Apr. 2026
There are many puzzles that hint at this.
—Big Think, 19 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
To find her way out, Miskwa must solve puzzles and navigate different environments while learning Ojibwe words and phrases along the way.
—Joe Van Ryn, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
—James Powel, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Players will be able to switch battle track genres and create mashups, play puzzles and explore dungeon adventuring mechanics.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
The result is work that asks questions without presenting them as puzzles to be solved.
—Kristen Roupenian, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
This group included activities like reading, doing puzzles, engaging in hobbies such as knitting or sewing, or working on a computer in a way that involves thinking and processing information.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
—Jason Hidalgo, The Providence Journal, 6 Apr. 2026
This might include card games, fidget toys, coloring books, brain puzzles, magazines, sticker books—whatever your kid likes.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 6 Apr. 2026
There are many puzzles that hint at this.
—Big Think, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
-
What to read next The four-part series tackles the origins of the universe, the pivotal role of stardust in all living things, and the nature of space-time, among many other cosmic mysteries.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
13 Apr. 2026
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Add it to the list of mysteries surrounding the late actress.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This baffles and outrages Angela, a protective mom who, with other parents, pushes back against Gabor using her math classroom as a forum for introducing the outside world’s worst actions.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
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His disaffection baffles his acquaintances and pains his tubercular wife (a superb Quinn Jackson), whose doctor (Lambert Tamin) has only contempt for her husband’s agonizing.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The low-performing chefs are Rhoda, whose lamb confuses the kids; Sherry, whose grits were oddly flavored; and Oscar, whose puff pastry soaked up all the deep-fryer oil.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
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Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Go somewhere that confuses your algorithm.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nandi is experiencing severe insomnia, tremors and psychosis, and her quickly deteriorating condition bewilders the emergency room staff.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Puzzles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzles. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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