as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
the conundrum of how an ancient people were able to build such massive structures without the benefit of today's knowledge and technology
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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 conundrum
The conundrum kept Johannes on the bench in certain moments throughout her tenure.
—
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Japan’s old house conundrum In the US, there is a certain romanticism around older homes.
—Mark Dent, HubSpot, 8 May 2026
Many physicists suspect the weird shape-shifting behavior of neutrinos might have played a key role in this cosmic conundrum.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
With the war over, generals, strategists, and military planners faced a conundrum.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for conundrum
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Japan’s old house conundrum In the US, there is a certain romanticism around older homes.
—Mark Dent, HubSpot, 8 May 2026
Many physicists suspect the weird shape-shifting behavior of neutrinos might have played a key role in this cosmic conundrum.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
With the war over, generals, strategists, and military planners faced a conundrum.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for conundrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conundrum
Noun
-
Guests will also get to explore topics such as liberal Zionism and the connection between food and memory, and participate in a Sermon Slam, crafting mini-sermons from mystery prompts.—
Jessica Tzikas,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
Not every summer movie needs to be a mystery that unfolds hallway after hallway, with a creature hiding around every corner ready to pop out.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Affordable housing in California has been an enigma that requires more than just oversight, but a major overhaul in streamlining the process, reducing the red tape and encouraging both for-profit and non-profit developers to ply their trade.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
The sudden departure of new cast member Helena Bonham Carter just days into shooting has become the first great enigma of this season, leaving the French Riviera production in a scenario as uncertain as one of Mike White's scripts.—
Diego Parrado,
Vanity Fair,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conundrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conundrum. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
