puzzling 1 of 2

puzzling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of puzzle

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 puzzling
Adjective
Gibson's puzzling problem started in her place of work. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 Colliton found the trend both notable and puzzling, as the rate of package theft is generally higher in urban areas. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
But in several puzzling cases, no source of infection has been identified. Evan Bush, NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024 The recent sightings of puzzling unidentified aircraft in New Jersey and other states have triggered yet another round of unanswered questions — and fueled conspiracy theories. Leonard David, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for puzzling 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzling
Adjective
  • These were really dramatic, inexplicable, but occasional events.
    Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025
  • There are a handful of grand gestures thrown in for good measure, from recurring comic bits (the associate principal has a bad habit of getting nosebleeds at the worst possible moment) to not one but two inexplicable interpretive-dance vignettes.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • With new mysteries such as dark matter, dark energy, the search for a quantum theory of gravity, the Hubble tension and the cause of the Big Bang all perplexing physicists, now would be a great time for another transformation in science akin to that of a century ago.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The pavilion’s perplexing parent company, yeswetrust, seemed to offer everything from crypto to Thai real estate to daily incentives to meditate, drink water, and breathe.
    Caitlín Doherty, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Several years later, Hoffa disappeared under mysterious circumstances and was never seen again.
    David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025
  • The groundbreaking find, the researchers claim, could reshape our understanding of the universe and its most powerful and mysterious signals.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This may be baffling to the internet’s many Last Showgirl skeptics, but chalk it up to her indefatigable campaigning, as well as the Everything Everywhere All at Once afterglow.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Even more baffling was the introduction of the supernatural in season 2.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Also, incomprehensible to anyone that understands water policy in the state.
    NBC News, NBC News, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Humans may occasionally make seemingly random, incomprehensible, and inconsistent mistakes, but such occurrences are rare and often indicative of more serious problems.
    Bruce Schneier, IEEE Spectrum, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The cause of the collision is unclear, and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
    NBC News, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2025
  • On Tuesday, as the effect of the OMB directive still was unclear, Gov. JB Pritzker harshly criticized Trump for throwing the lives of millions of Americans into temporary and needless turmoil.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Does that explain his bizarre excursion to allow Arnaut Danjuma to score?
    Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Archaeologists have uncovered a series of bizarre ancient burials in France.
    Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Colleagues in low- and middle-income countries who provide HIV services funded by PEPFAR say that they were instructed to stop work and that the language of Secretary Rubio’s waiver was too vague to have any meaningful impact.
    Gavin Yamey, TIME, 3 Feb. 2025
  • With the sweeping and vague language of Trump’s order and the notorious nature of Guantanamo as a place where human rights abuses can be kept out of sight, will the U.S. be able to defend itself against such accusations with a straight face?
    The Miami Herald Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near puzzling

Cite this Entry

“Puzzling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzling. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

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