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
Related Words
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
Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 June 2025
But the more puzzling sequences are offset by the mindless pleasure of destroying everything in your path, which is also a valid solution for many problems.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 1 July 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
Verb
Tasters found this burger to have a puzzling aftertaste that turned them off.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 June 2025
But the more puzzling sequences are offset by the mindless pleasure of destroying everything in your path, which is also a valid solution for many problems.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 1 July 2025
Adjective
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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In a surprising and inexplicable way, as takeoffs and landings ceased, the feverish activity that airport grass hides under its seemingly peaceful surface came to a screeching halt.—
Fabio Morábito,
New Yorker,
24 July 2025
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Among the new cast, Sui Wonders’s Ava is the most direct Julie James avatar: the brainy brunette with a haunted look in her eyes and an inexplicable, undying lust for her high-school boyfriend.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
At least there’s still perplexing songs to listen to.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
23 July 2025
-
The accusations of bad faith are not only perplexing but inaccurate.—
The Daily News,
New York Daily News,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
Years after gaining superpowers from being bombarded by cosmic rays in space, the astronauts-turned-superheroes face a new threat when the mysterious Silver Surfer, Shalla-Bal (Julia Garner), heralds the coming of the world-devouring Galactus (Ralph Ineson).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
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More Miguel Rodriguez/Getty Images What's so mysterious about a team playing well?—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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What makes this reversal not just baffling but dangerous is its context.—
Lynn Northcutt Vega,
Sun Sentinel,
29 July 2025
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Here’s the most baffling part of the Republican budget bill, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) writes in an op-ed for The Washington Post.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Her scream resonated with the one in my chest while also being incomprehensible and beyond me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 July 2025
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Without answers, the grieving process was incomprehensible.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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The Austin City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a five-year strategic plan aimed at bolstering the department that oversees the city-run animal shelter — but who will lead the department through the undertaking is unclear.—
Ella McCarthy,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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The future is unclear for broadcast late night programming, and late night more generally, but a decision on Kimmel will mean a lot for the industry in the upcoming year.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Sony and Microsoft and the PC world can keep playing the cutting-edge hardware competition while Nintendo luxuriates in its bizarre boutique silo, unbothered, moisturized, in its lane, consistently content with winning its own solo race.—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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President Donald Trump shared a bizarre meme Saturday morning depicting himself and Vice President JD Vance chasing former President Barack Obama in an altered photo from O.J. Simpson’s infamous white Bronco police chase.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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Diners and customers still face overwhelming menus, vague promotions, delayed support and unclear pricing.—
Maulikkumar Pandya,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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In an era where social media dictates public perception, silence or vague messaging can speak volumes.—
Essence,
Essence,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzling. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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