puzzle

1 of 2

verb

puz·​zle ˈpə-zəl 

puzzled; puzzling ˈpə-zə-liŋ 

ˈpəz-liŋ

transitive verb

1

: to offer or represent to (someone) a problem difficult to solve or a situation difficult to resolve : challenge mentally

also : to exert (oneself, one's mind, etc.) over such a problem or situation

they puzzled their wits to find a solution

2

archaic : complicate, entangle

3

: to solve with difficulty or ingenuity

puzzle out an answer to a riddle

intransitive verb

1

: to be uncertain as to action or choice

2

: to attempt a solution of a puzzle by guesswork or experiment

puzzle over the mystery

puzzler

ˈpə-zə-lər 

ˈpəz-lər

noun

puzzle

2 of 2

noun

1

: the state of being puzzled : perplexity

2

a

: something that puzzles

b

: a question, problem, or contrivance designed for testing ingenuity

Synonyms

Verb

• addle
• baffle
• bamboozle
• beat
• befog
• befuddle
• bemuse
• bewilder
• buffalo
• confound
• confuse
• discombobulate
• disorient
• flummox
• fox
• fuddle
• get
• gravel
• maze
• muddle
• muddy
• mystify
• perplex
• pose
• vex

Noun

• closed book
• conundrum
• enigma
• head-scratcher
• mystery
• mystification
• puzzlement
• riddle
• secret
• why

Choose the Right Synonym for puzzle

Verb

puzzle, perplex, bewilder, distract, nonplus, confound, dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally.

puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

Noun

mystery, problem, enigma, riddle, puzzle mean something which baffles or perplexes.

mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.

the mystery of the stone monoliths

problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

problems created by high technology

enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.

his suicide remains an enigma

riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.

the riddle of the reclusive pop star

puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.

the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

Examples of puzzle in a Sentence

Verb

The cause of the accident has puzzled investigators.

it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors

Noun

a book of puns, riddles, and puzzles

the final fate of the colonists at Roanoke remains a puzzle to this very day

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Particularly puzzling is the fact that they’re located in places that would’ve mostly been covered with clothes, which raises questions about whether they could have been intended for adornment or creative expression. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024

Earlier this spring, California dairy farmers noted a puzzling drop in milk production in Texas, New Mexico, Idaho, Ohio, Kansas and Michigan. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024

To puzzle through the options, Paramount’s board has formed an independent committee, advised by Centerview Partners and the law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore. —Lauren Hirsch, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024

In rattlesnakes, puzzling them out would be a next logical step. —Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024

With these unique back teeth, where these animals fit in the timeline of mammal evolution has been puzzling. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024

The proposal was puzzling to Sandy Bahr, director of the Grand Canyon chapter of the Sierra Club. —Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024

Social media speculation about Catherine erupted after a series of puzzling events that left the public grasping for more information about the princess’s health and happiness. —Tatum Hunter, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024

These differences and others have puzzled researchers for decades. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024

Noun

Note: Most subscribers have some, but not all, of the puzzles that correspond to the following set of solutions for their local newspaper. —USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024

Garvey remains an enigma, a puzzle whose pieces don’t yet fit together. —David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 23 Apr. 2024

While 16 teams begin chasing the Larry O’Brien Trophy, the Charlotte Hornets are already in offseason mode, attempting to piece together a strategic puzzle that starts with landing a new head coach. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2024

Every mural had a unique code that led to a different video, each revealing a new letter as part of a word puzzle. —Saba Hamedy, NBC News, 19 Apr. 2024

Plus, every box comes with an exclusive puzzle featuring one of our archival covers. —Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024

That was a really compelling and interesting puzzle box to work your way out of. —Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024

Players could create their own puzzles and pay for add-ons, which Sweeney shipped to them on floppy disks. —Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

The whole set is made from high-quality wood, including the wooden puzzle base/tray. —Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing puzzle

• Chinese puzzle
• crossword puzzle
• jigsaw puzzle
• monkey puzzle
• picture puzzle
• piece of the puzzle
• puzzle out
• puzzle over

Kids Definition

puzzle

1 of 2 verb

puz·​zle ˈpəz-əl 

puzzled; puzzling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to confuse the understanding of

2

: to solve with difficulty or cleverness

puzzler

-(ə-)lər 

noun

puzzle

2 of 2 noun

1

: puzzlement sense 1

2

a

: something that puzzles

b

: a question, problem, or device designed for testing skill or cleverness