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
Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 May 2026
Precisely which features make for the best barbell is still a puzzle.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 7 May 2026
What appears to be an outbreak of hantavirus on a ship anchored near the tiny mid-Atlantic nation of Cabo Verde has infectious diseases experts puzzled.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Noun
And now, new research suggests such cosmic rays may hide a secret that is the key to unlocking a 60-year-old space puzzle.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 May 2026
Precisely which features make for the best barbell is still a puzzle.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
Verb
Beata Siemionkowicz's immigration case has puzzled her family and experts.
—Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 7 May 2026
What appears to be an outbreak of hantavirus on a ship anchored near the tiny mid-Atlantic nation of Cabo Verde has infectious diseases experts puzzled.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzle
Noun
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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
Verb
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The senior author of that study seemed as baffled by official reassurances as she, Tufekci added.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
13 May 2026
-
Offspinner Mehidy Hasan, however, produced an arm-ball to baffle Awais, who made 15 following his 103 in the first innings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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As a longtime rider I, too, am perplexed by regular displays of poor customer service by CTA employees.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
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As Season 3 of Euphoria continues to stir up some controversy, one of the show’s stars is perplexed by Cassie’s (Sydney Sweeney) OnlyFans storyline.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The New Zealand singer-songwriter wanders around inside her psychedelic folk arrangements, singing in private riddles and changing the tone of her voice from one song (or even one verse) to the next, seemingly oblivious or indifferent to your presence.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
8 May 2026
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How imagination works, how influence unfolds, how history rhymes — these remain riddles.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Winners are chosen by a mix of votes from the two, translated into points by a system confusing even to Eurovision fans.—
Jill Lawless,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
-
Cassidy complained Friday that the new primary system enacted last year was confusing voters by requiring them to ask for a partisan ballot instead of the previous all-party primary that had been in place.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Gasly seems faintly bewildered by the designation.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Netizens were bewildered by the latest pivot, resulting in plenty of mockery on social media.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzle. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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