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
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 puzzle
Big Think, 30 Jan. 2026
The researchers presented toddlers with elaborate puzzle contraptions that contained prizes.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Store employees were puzzled about any alleged involvement with El Primo.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Noun
So long as the Oh-My-God particle was a carbon (or heavier) nucleus, there’s no longer a puzzle to how particles achieve such high energies and how those particles make it to Earth.
—Big Think, 30 Jan. 2026
The researchers presented toddlers with elaborate puzzle contraptions that contained prizes.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
Yet along with the congratulations to Schofield and her husband, Michael, came a rather puzzling rejoinder.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Store employees were puzzled about any alleged involvement with El Primo.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzle
Noun
-
While scientists have long observed this liquid-to-solid transformation, the exact molecular link that converts these fluid droplets into a high-performance final structure has remained a mystery until now.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Ward said her mother was fascinated with the mystery of Amelia Earhart, and that fascination turned into countless trips to air shows and museums.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Patagonia’s proprietary synthetic fill imitates down’s structure by spinning air-trapping microfilaments around a central fiber and requires fewer stabilizing seams and baffles than down.—
Kelly Bastone,
Outside,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Even Proctor’s defense attorney seemed baffled by the district attorney’s office’s handling of the case.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The moment became viral on social media, with some X users perplexed at the interview.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
11 Feb. 2026
-
That’s perplexing to Alvarez and Oakley, given that Cal State tuition is still relatively low, despite recent annual tuition hikes.—
Cal Matters,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The citizens of Texas are confusing hospitality for complacency.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
To give my permission to be sad, to be angry, to be confused.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even a principled, well-meaning actor like Claude could face bewildering ethical conflicts.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Oswalt confesses being bewildered by Bamford at first.—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzle. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
