as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
the final fate of the colonists at Roanoke remains a puzzle to this very day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to baffle
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puzzle
David Moin, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
Being Able to Problem Solve Intelligent dogs also excel at problem-solving, whether that is figuring out a puzzle toy or how to open the front door.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Still others include puzzling recent bureaucratic changes in the legal framework of mining related to the requirements for resource assessments and feasibility studies, and also environmental and socioeconomic requirements for obtaining an exploitation license.
—IEEE Spectrum, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Noun
The 1,000-square-foot retail space offers swings, slipper art, puzzles, board, storytelling moments and a matcha bar in collaboration with the Montauk General Store.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
Being Able to Problem Solve Intelligent dogs also excel at problem-solving, whether that is figuring out a puzzle toy or how to open the front door.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Verb
The paradox offers a heady if puzzling thematic conceit for the return of Arcade Fire with their seventh album, Pink Elephant.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Still others include puzzling recent bureaucratic changes in the legal framework of mining related to the requirements for resource assessments and feasibility studies, and also environmental and socioeconomic requirements for obtaining an exploitation license.
—IEEE Spectrum, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzle
Noun
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Adding to the mystery, Teleios emits only in radio wavelengths, with a hint of hydrogen-alpha emissions.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
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Their quest: to finally solve the mystery of the Nameless and their connection to the Force, and to stop the blight before its damage becomes irreversible.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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What’s more, the double-stitched seams and baffle box design keep lumps at bay.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
28 May 2025
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The owner shared a video of the car veering left, a video that has Tesla examiner’s baffled.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Verb
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Many observers were perplexed that an eighty-two-year-old man with virtually unlimited access to medical care—and about whose health there has been virtually unlimited conjecture—could have gone undiagnosed until the cancer threatened his life.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
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Social-media users were undoubtedly perplexed by the bone discovery, leading to more than 860 comments on the Instagram video.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Also, this word et cetera at the end of the sentence confused me.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
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Weir was confused by the man’s unusual conviction, though.—
Louise Erdrich,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
Verb
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They were bewildered for me, and so was all the other staff.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
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Small wonder many of the migrants are disoriented and bewildered.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzle. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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