STUMPER Synonyms: 15 Similar and Opposite Words

stumper

noun

Definition of stumper

as in riddle

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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 stumper While its peculiar sport partnering is a worthwhile trivia stumper, Nordic combined is one of the 16 original Winter Olympics events, dating back to the Games’ origins in 1924 in Chamonix, France. — Dana Oneil, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumper

Noun

With Simmons still back on the ramp, largely remaining — to borrow from Winston Churchill — a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
The fundamental problem exposed by the latest court fight is that no one has a solution to the riddle of apportionment.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of riddle

Noun

His previous grid played with the NATO alphabet; today’s puzzle has fun with a different writing system.

— Sean McGowan, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026
It was thoughtfully built, with challenging puzzles and tense fights arranged with consideration for pacing and flow.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of puzzle

Noun

On the one hand, the journalist’s role is to gather information, and so walking out or not covering news events poses a difficult conundrum.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026
The Josh Simmons conundrum The Chiefs’ offensive line is going to be tested in a new way against the Seahawks.

— Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of conundrum

Noun

The late Richard Parry-Jones, who rose to become CTO at Ford, was in charge of signing off vehicle handling and was a stickler for it.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026
While the room itself is beautiful and decked out in all sorts of LoveShackFancy prints and patterns, Julie Ann was a stickler for space-saving.

— Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of stickler

Noun

Other toughies are at the not-so-soft Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13, the revenge trip to New England in Week 15 and the Philadelphia Eagles at Highmark Stadium in Week 17.

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
And special days call for special grids, such as this set of six toughies that were originally shelved but have remained in our hearts.

— Vulture Editors, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025

Definition of toughie

Noun

This week was packed with pre-midterm drama, of which only the silliest is in the quiz.

— Holly J. Morris, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026
Take the quiz here … LISTEN Tune in to explore whether Democrats are gaining momentum or Republicans are losing ground, and what shifting voter sentiment could mean for control of Congress.

— , FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of quiz

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“Stumper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumper. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of stumper

noun

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