as in mystery
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 to drill
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 to penetrate
to spread throughout
the newspaper exposé revealed a gaming commission that is riddled with corruption
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of riddle
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025
The riddles are a great way for everyone to interact.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 July 2025
Federal Medicaid law is riddled with provisions governing how states must operate their Medicaid programs, including requirements governing who must be covered, and rules governing patient safety.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for riddle
Noun
These caterpillars typically riddle plant leaves with lacy holes or chew entire leaves down to nubs.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025
The riddles are a great way for everyone to interact.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
Verb
Authorities found 16 bodies riddled with gunshot wounds in a van on the same highway, one of which was also decapitated, local media reported.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 July 2025
Federal Medicaid law is riddled with provisions governing how states must operate their Medicaid programs, including requirements governing who must be covered, and rules governing patient safety.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for riddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riddle
Noun
-
So there's going to be a strong reaction in both directions for this mystery houseguest.—
David Wysong,
The Enquirer,
4 July 2025
-
In addition, Lind played the young version of Amanda Clarke (Emily VanCamp) in a recurring role on the ABC mystery thriller Revenge from 2011-2015, and the recurring role of Ariel on the CBS medical drama Code Black from 2015-2018.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
James struck again, drilling a three-pointer over Cooper, drawing cheers from the fans.—
Broderick Turner
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
-
With Matt Brash on the mound for the Mariners, Stanton drilled a two-run homer.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Water should penetrate the top 2 inches of soil to prevent quick evaporation and to encourage the roots to grow down.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
-
And yet, that noise never penetrated their cocoon-like recording sessions.—
Mike Wass,
Variety,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Dogs can benefit from puzzle feeders, like toys from Outward Hound or Kong, or DIY versions.—
Jen Reeder,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Need help with today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle?—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
With piercing honesty and raw emotion, Jean Smart delivers a powerful monologue in Call Me Izzy, a new play written by Jamie Wax and directed by Sarna Lapine.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
The hot nights pierced with cold decisions on young men’s futures.—
Devon Henderson,
Oc Register,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
The news people are announcing on repeat a mantra suffused with an English lilt in their mouths, that the fires haven’t gorged themselves on the rainforests like this in over half a century.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 July 2025
-
What makes the series so delightful is Osman’s wicked sense of humor, and the empathy suffused throughout.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
But to understand the album is to understand the man — or more precisely, the enigma of the man.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
5 July 2025
-
The usual first response to the exasperating enigma is that size might make the difference.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
Another of Raleigh's sons, Kyle, ran up, and punched Morrow in the head before pinning him to the pavement.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
11 July 2025
-
Kelly tries to pick up his cell phone and belongings scattered on a bike lane when the twins return and begin punching him, the video shows.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riddle. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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