1
as in inexplicable
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2
as in perplexing
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Dissimilar Words
as in baffling
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puzzling
Marcos Breton, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
On the flip side, Orlando has been a puzzling disappointment, a team — just like the Heat — that has followed a seven-game winning streak with an ongoing five-game losing streak.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
So the absence of any real investment in the interior offensive line this offseason is puzzling.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puzzling
Adjective
More puzzling, critics said, has been the union’s response to other farmworker advocates.
—Marcos Breton, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
On the flip side, Orlando has been a puzzling disappointment, a team — just like the Heat — that has followed a seven-game winning streak with an ongoing five-game losing streak.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
It is filled with traditions and beliefs that might seem puzzling to outsiders but are taken seriously by many actors, directors, and stagehands.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
So the absence of any real investment in the interior offensive line this offseason is puzzling.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puzzling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzling
Adjective
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Research suggests this sudden, inexplicable illness affects women more often than men.—
Lindsay Dodgson,
SELF,
2 Apr. 2026
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Adapted from Algernon Blackwood’s supernatural novella, The Man Whom the Trees Loved is a ghostly tale of the inexplicable horrors of nature.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But as the adorable pair get acclimated to life in the nest, they've been observed doing some perplexing – perhaps even seemingly concerning – behavior.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2026
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Of those lowlights, Chapman’s failed attempt to steal second base was especially perplexing given his reputation as an excellent baserunner.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This inversion explains a host of baffling political and cultural phenomena of late.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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The steel pipe's unexpected growth spurt was reported to police early Wednesday by a pedestrian who saw broken pieces of asphalt falling from the cylinder, baffling people passing by and causing traffic congestion.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The flyby lasted seven hours, during which the astronauts could enjoy views of the lunar surface previously unseen by human eyes, with about 21% of the moon’s mysterious far side illuminated by the sun from the crew’s perspective.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
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This April, readers have plenty of new books to look forward to, including a metafictional exploration of memory, a look at the effects of family vlogging and a mysterious depiction of gentrification in Brooklyn.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In 2021, one year into D’Amaro’s tenure and following COVID shutdowns, Disney did away with FastPass and introduced a confounding and very costly series of pay-to-skip passes, which require timing advanced booking of limited slots in these formerly free-to-enter shorter lines.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Eagles were a confounding defending champion throughout the regular season.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But even more than engaging the big ideas that Emma’s revelation triggers — pun somewhat intended — Lee and Borli wanted to craft an experience that would mimic its main characters’ bewildering interiority.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
6 Apr. 2026
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There aren’t many ways to earn a club’s first win better than bewildering the league’s defending champions at their place.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Workers who love incomprehensible, corporate-speak language tend to be bad at decision-making.—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
6 Apr. 2026
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The incomprehensible war with Iran was the last straw.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Esther said that Kim was upset about McCormick's bizarre behavior.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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The Sharks allowed second-period goals to Marco Rossi — on a bizarre play –– and Jake DeBrusk on a Canucks power play as the two teams entered the third period tied 2-2.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puzzling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzling. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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