Synonyms of puzzles

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

• mysteries
• enigmas
• riddles
• conundrums
• secrets
• problems
• mystifications
• puzzlements
• challenges
• whys
• head-scratchers
• closed books
• brainteasers
• matters
• perplexities
• stumpers
• troubles
• posers
• cases
• knots

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

• baffles
• perplexes
• confuses
• bewilders
• mazes
• poses
• rattles
• befuddles
• vexes
• mystifies
• confounds
• fuddles
• bamboozles
• bothers
• flummoxes
• discombobulates
• foxes
• flusters
• muddles
• disorients
• embarrasses
• stuns
• addles
• bemuses
• gravels
• disturbs
• upsets
• befogs
• beats
• buffaloes
• gets
• muddies
• unsettles
• sticks
• blows one's mind
• stumps
• goes to one's head
• disconcerts
• distresses
• tricks
• discountenances
• abashes
• nonpluses
• discomfits
• fazes
• mortifies
• discomposes
• disquiets
• fools
• discomforts
• agitates
• dismays
• weirds out
• hoaxes
• perturbs
• deceives
• unhinges
• chagrins
• strings along
• snows
• humbugs
• deludes
• gulls
• misleads
• dupes
• cozens
• takes in
• hoodwinks
• beguiles
• misguides

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assures
• satisfies
• informs
• reassures
• enlightens

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of puzzles

Noun

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles. — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 30 Sep. 2026

Little ones can color, solve puzzles, read stories, and more in this booklet. — Anja Webb, Parents, 18 Sep. 2026

Well, our team has learned that our puzzles, then and now, are meant to bring a moment of joy and relaxation while the sometimes difficult news cycle swirls around us. — Jonathan Knight, New York Times, 18 Sep. 2026

The size, scope, and, candidly, the expense of pulling it off are all puzzles that Flanagan still has to solve. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026

In Puebla, authorities discovered 300 graphics processing units (GPUs), 80 medium-voltage terminals and eight ​satellite antennae — all geared to compete against millions of other machines to solve puzzles and create valuable new crypto coins. — CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

Though their origins may be shrouded in mystery, fast radio bursts (FRBs) could be used to probe some of the universe's biggest puzzles. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Central colleague cafes provide complimentary premium coffee and beverages, while gaming lounges with puzzles and tabletop games offer opportunities for hands-on breaks from screens. — Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026

With John reluctantly pulled into one of his strangest puzzles yet, the race is on for the Taylors to solve the crime. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 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