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

Perhaps the three questions are not riddles to be solved once and closed.

— Regan Peng, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Finding Lahti’s family was the latest step in a half-century long effort to solve the riddle of what led to the veteran’s death from two bullet wounds to the head.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of riddle

Noun

This Special puzzle features lyric references, cultural landmarks and even historic events tied to Dylan.

— Atoosa Moinzadeh, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Come early to mingle with the cast, in character, of course, who may or may not need your help in deciphering some puzzles.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of puzzle

Noun

The site to which Shift is specific is not just the farm in King City but the field of historical preservation, where the conundrum of stasis versus passing time prevails.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
In an essay from 2013, the Yale Law professor Jed Rubenfeld concluded that the only way out of this conundrum was to abandon consent and return to a force definition of rape.

— S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of conundrum

Noun

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
Strict meal times and long happy hours tell us that the French are sticklers about having a break and leaning into leisure, which doesn’t sound half bad at all.

— Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Aug. 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

BackpackBuckyChunkMarshmallowStudious Share full article Whet Moser, Daniel Ajootian and the staff of the Morning newsletter compiled this week’s quiz.

— New York Times, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Take the quiz here … LISTEN Tune in as Senate Republicans make their case for holding the majority, with affordability, AI, data centers, and China emerging as key issues ahead of the midterms.

— , FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of quiz

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“Stumper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumper. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of stumper

noun

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