as in mysteries
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 drills
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 suffuses
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 riddles
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
Neighbors put their own spin on the game, dressing up Frank in accessories, and posting riddles and clues to their local Facebook group to give hints on Frank's whereabouts.
—CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
The answer to nature’s greatest riddles are written upon the Universe itself.
—Big Think, 1 Dec. 2025
Play the role of a detective and complete riddles, puzzles, and brain teasers to solve the mystery by Christmas Eve.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2025
In my experience, one viewing at the New York Film Festival was not enough to parse the film’s gorgeous riddles and meditation on cinema as a dream machine.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
His fans and followers enjoy solving the riddles through the screen, and the comments usually reflect the level of difficulty or ease of each game.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Although specific customs vary regionally across the Chinese-speaking world, the most prevalent activities involve lighting lanterns, guessing riddles, eating tangyuan (glutinous rice balls with fillings like sweet red beans or black sesame paste), and watching traditional lion dance performances.
—Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
Strange statues and cryptic riddles in Italian or Latin appear around every corner, making each visit feel like a discovery that the whole family can enjoy.
—Fulvio De Bonis, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
Steven R. Furlanetto, Twin Cities, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
The resulting footage was only discovered by the Cinémathèque in 2023; now edited together into a cohesive work, this invaluable and sui generis artifact finds one master filmmaker engaging with and taking in thewisdom, riddles, and pronouncements of another.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
Neighbors put their own spin on the game, dressing up Frank in accessories, and posting riddles and clues to their local Facebook group to give hints on Frank's whereabouts.
—CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
The answer to nature’s greatest riddles are written upon the Universe itself.
—Big Think, 1 Dec. 2025
Play the role of a detective and complete riddles, puzzles, and brain teasers to solve the mystery by Christmas Eve.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2025
In my experience, one viewing at the New York Film Festival was not enough to parse the film’s gorgeous riddles and meditation on cinema as a dream machine.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
His fans and followers enjoy solving the riddles through the screen, and the comments usually reflect the level of difficulty or ease of each game.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Although specific customs vary regionally across the Chinese-speaking world, the most prevalent activities involve lighting lanterns, guessing riddles, eating tangyuan (glutinous rice balls with fillings like sweet red beans or black sesame paste), and watching traditional lion dance performances.
—Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
Strange statues and cryptic riddles in Italian or Latin appear around every corner, making each visit feel like a discovery that the whole family can enjoy.
—Fulvio De Bonis, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Any trip to the dark night skies of our Southern California deserts reveals a vista full of wonder and mystery — riddles that astrophysicists like myself spend our days unraveling.
—Steven R. Furlanetto, Twin Cities, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riddles
Noun
-
How much hope is left in the search for answers to the many remaining mysteries of the universe?—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 Jan. 2026
-
As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of why and how these gentle giants make such challenging journeys, their migrations remind us of how interconnected the ecosystems that surround us are.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Every college and pro coach drills the same message into their players’ heads, nothing good happens after midnight.—
Ryan Gaydos , Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Nov. 2025
-
The state also limited preseason contact drills to six hours total and banned spring and summer practices.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Patriotism suffuses the Made in America movement.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
29 Nov. 2025
-
An international cult favorite, Lee is revered for the philosophical nerve that suffuses his rigorously inventive melodramas, which variously pick apart the complexities of Korean society.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
When shown how to open the puzzles, children copied all the steps, even unnecessary ones.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Thanks for teaching me how to buy clothes that fit, how to cook Mexican food, how to be a better man, how to solve puzzles in Zelda, how to make good playlists, how to be a good friend, and how to understand Spanish.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some of the roster holes the Lions faced in 2025 will be questions again in 2026.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
In a series of posts made Wednesday on Instagram, Dacoda Nichole Jones accused the former SMU player of domestic violence over the course of several years, posting more than a dozen images that show bruises and wounds on her body, holes in the wall and broken cabinets.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Glycolic and lactic acids sweep away dead surface skin cells, soften rough patches, and brighten your complexion, while salicylic acid penetrates more deeply to clear congestion.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Dot stands patiently in heavy fabrics on a Sunday, while George stares at her with a razor focus that never penetrates her soul.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Their sudden exit from the fossil record has remained one of anthropology’s most enduring enigmas, until now.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Further enigmas can be found elsewhere on public lands, including within state parks, recreational areas, and more.—
Mike Bezemek,
Outside,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nothing that pierces the skin should ever be used as leverage over a child's opportunity to education and to learn.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Nicole Kidman's stare pierces the room.—
Jennifer Brett,
Nashville Tennessean,
16 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riddles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riddles. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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