1
as in inexplicable
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in perplexing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puzzling
Lane Sainty, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024
What’s more puzzling, some experts say, is that Target is repeating its mistake of alienating progressive customers.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
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
Adjective
These conflicting versions created a puzzling cognitive dissonance.
—Lane Sainty, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024
What’s more puzzling, some experts say, is that Target is repeating its mistake of alienating progressive customers.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
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
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Popular enough where Reacher is currently the #1 show a full month and a half after season 3 ended, and slid down the list eventually before this inexplicable resurgence.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
-
Bebe Zahara Benet delivered pure magic (with a dose of madness) in her inexplicable yet massively memorable and instantly meme-able verse.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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His insight and unconventional approach to understanding human behavior lead him and the team on a series of intense, unexpected journeys to solve illogical puzzles and perplexing mysteries.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
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For economists, America’s organ shortage is a perplexing public health problem.—
Steven Levitt,
Boston Herald,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Dipping in and out of this book over a few months might inspire a new reverence for the mysterious human body.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
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The family adventure show is set at mysterious Crookhaven School where high achieving young crooks from across the world are secretly selected to hone their skills in disciplines such as deception, crimnastics, forgery and infiltration.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Trader Joe’s is one of the greatest success stories in American grocery stores—the stuff of business-school case studies and rapturous (and, honestly, sometimes baffling) consumer behavior.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
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Though there were some baffling mistakes leading to quality Kings’ chances, especially in Los Angeles, the goalies haven’t exactly been up to the task either.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Given the incomprehensible thought of an empty beach on the island of Hawaii (and nationwide), surely the movie's effect on viewers was impactful.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
16 May 2025
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Honestly, whoever designed this mind-numbing, incomprehensible plan should be banished to an island where they will hopefully be devoured by wildlife.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Also unclear is whether a tariff would apply to movies already in production overseas, or partially in foreign countries, like Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which has been shooting in Morocco, with plans for other locations including Sicily.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
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But Buffett’s timetable for the transition had been unclear until Saturday.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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Sinner won a bizarre semifinal in his first tournament back from a three-month doping ban, while Alcaraz triumphed in a sloppy duel.—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
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Known for its deluge of gruesome deaths that just get more bizarre with each iteration, Final Destination is now returning for a sixth movie.—
Rebecca Aizin,
People.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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The instructions were vague and didn’t have many helpful illustrations.—
Kate Puhala,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
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Some vague stripes run down its spine, blurring together toward its tail.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzling. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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