as in baffling
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in inexplicable
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in perplexing
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of puzzling
Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
In the same room as the big-eyed demons and horseriders, perhaps the most puzzling mural fragments were discovered in 2022 and 2023.
—Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 17 Sep. 2025
Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
After getting entangled in a puzzling murder, the two go on the run to solve the case while also trying to piece their relationship back together.
—James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzling
Verb
Kupor’s decision to step into public service may seem in and of itself a bit puzzling.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
In the same room as the big-eyed demons and horseriders, perhaps the most puzzling mural fragments were discovered in 2022 and 2023.
—Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Staying away from puzzling lines like this is typically the best move.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
After getting entangled in a puzzling murder, the two go on the run to solve the case while also trying to piece their relationship back together.
—James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzling
Verb
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In May, Kennedy vowed to find what caused autism by September, baffling scientists who near-unanimously believe there is no one cause of the condition.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
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This is stuttering, crashing and other issues, even on high-end hardware way above recommended specs, which is baffling some.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Giants tanked immediately after acquiring a high-profile superstar with a nine-figure contract, which was inexplicable, unexpected and ominous.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell committed an inexplicable turnover early in the second half in their loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday evening.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The phenomenon is called seasonal asynchrony, and a new study finds these perplexing locations appear in tropical mountains of countries like Costa Rica as well as places like California that have Mediterranean climates.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
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The Quiz In one of the more perplexing acquisitions this year, early 2000s music sharing platform LimeWire acquired the rights to the infamous Fyre Festival in an auction this week.—
Maggie McGrath,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And aren’t our real-life romantic complications bewildering enough?—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
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Its ginormous investments in higher-value, tech-heavy sectors from smartphones to autos to semiconductors to biotechnology are disrupting the global landscape at bewildering speed.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean at the height of summer, the erotic thriller follows Calvin Wells (Funk), a charismatic conman who sets his sights on Katrine Winters (Meadow Williams), a mysterious billionaire widow.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
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For an event celebrating a dark and mysterious being, the vibe is surprisingly uplifting.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Tuesday will go down as one of Boston’s most confounding losses of the season, a 4-3 defeat in 11 innings to the Baltimore Orioles in which the club went 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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CarShield has received positive comments for its breadth of coverage and quick response times, although some policyholders have complained about claim denials, fine-print surprises and confusing sales practices.—
Brian Sloan,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
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The merger will divide Elon, confusing prospective and current students.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And the thought of McDavid leaving Edmonton under any condition once felt incomprehensible.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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His way through was by finding connection with a character whose deeds seem incomprehensible.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzling. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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