as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
his motives for starting an argument with the coach were a complete riddle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to drill
to make a hole or series of holes in
several signs along the highway were riddled by buckshot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to penetrate
to spread throughout
the newspaper exposé revealed a gaming commission that is riddled with corruption
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of riddle
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
As is the case every year, each mission is a riddle.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2025
The Air Force contract with Boeing to replace those aircraft has been riddled with delays and cost overruns, with Boeing's most recent estimated delivery date now slated for 2027.
—Isabella Murray, ABC News, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for riddle
Noun
His presence is part of the peculiar riddle that Djokovic, who turns 38 on May 22, has been trying to solve for going on two years now.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
As is the case every year, each mission is a riddle.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
Responding officers found Davis and Walker in a Jeep Renegade SUV that was riddled with bullet holes, according to court records.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2025
The Air Force contract with Boeing to replace those aircraft has been riddled with delays and cost overruns, with Boeing's most recent estimated delivery date now slated for 2027.
—Isabella Murray, ABC News, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for riddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riddle
Noun
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Ray is an enigma and a mystery, a man who zips into town on a motorbike like a phantom and could just as easily evaporate at any minute.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
18 May 2025
-
The identity of the man in the photo remained a mystery to the outside world until USA TODAY sought clarification from federal officials.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Alone at the top of the key, Brunson dribbled into a wide open three and drilled it, and the Knicks went on to win 116-113.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2025
-
Carman crossed over the freshman to the right, then drilled the ball home in the lower right part of the net.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
The difference between the two can be broken down as follows: Mineral Sunscreens Mineral sunscreens, also known as physical sunscreens, block the sun’s harmful UV rays from penetrating the skin.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
26 May 2025
-
The sprawling but penetrating 4½ hour documentary about French complicity with its Nazi captors during the war exploded the myth that the French resisted their occupiers.—
Richard Natale,
Variety,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
Need help with today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle?—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
Most days, there are between three and five clues in each direction on a five by five grid, but the puzzles are sometimes larger, especially on Saturdays.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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But Jason Schwartzman pierced his ear on The Tonight Show this past August.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
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The branch, described as having fallen approximately 50 feet, pierced the attic, roof, and dented the floor of the room.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Verb
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His work is suffused with such affection for the edge places where Europe bleeds into its others—Venice, Trieste, Alexandria, Algiers—that the continent becomes all edge.—
Nicholas Dames,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
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Kaunas: Where the Grand Duchy Endures As the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania — one of Europe’s largest and most powerful nations during the Late Middle Ages and early Renaissance — Kaunas is suffused with history.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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An underused Baranski delivers her usual dazzle as Victoria, and Kidman once again commits fully to the steely Russian enigma known as Masha.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
19 May 2025
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The character is an enigma, the focus of one of the series’ biggest mysteries.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Things escalated between the pair and the woman punched the man in the shoulder with a closed fist, the spokesperson said.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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According to authorities, Ward told them the fight and stabbing were self-defense, claiming the mother attacked and punched her several times in the face.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riddle. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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