as in mysteries
something hard to understand or explain
the final fate of the colonists at Roanoke remains a puzzle to this very day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in baffles
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 puzzles
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 May 2026
The proof used advanced concepts such as infinite class field towers and Golod-Shafarevich theory, tools rarely associated with geometric puzzles.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026
Calura tested her puzzles in her classroom.
—Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Thank you again from all the Daily News readers who do her puzzles.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
Apple works at this vertiginous juncture where Emily Dickinson goes rumbling into Etta James and, lately, Beyoncé; where Nico solves puzzles with Randy Newman, Kurt Weill, Nina Simone and the Beatles.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
While everyone else puzzles it over, Coe is already on his way to the multi-faith ceremony at Abbotsfield, where Mayor Jaffrey is joining other mourners to honor the 11 people killed in the assault that opened the season.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 May 2026
The proof used advanced concepts such as infinite class field towers and Golod-Shafarevich theory, tools rarely associated with geometric puzzles.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026
Calura tested her puzzles in her classroom.
—Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Thank you again from all the Daily News readers who do her puzzles.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
Apple works at this vertiginous juncture where Emily Dickinson goes rumbling into Etta James and, lately, Beyoncé; where Nico solves puzzles with Randy Newman, Kurt Weill, Nina Simone and the Beatles.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
The lineage of these hybrids traces back to Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island, a discovery that still puzzles scientists today.
—ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
While everyone else puzzles it over, Coe is already on his way to the multi-faith ceremony at Abbotsfield, where Mayor Jaffrey is joining other mourners to honor the 11 people killed in the assault that opened the season.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzles
Noun
-
Because George, portrayed by Hugh Jackman, routinely read mysteries to his charges before his sudden demise, these sheep aren’t complete novices, said Wilson Chapman in IndieWire.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
18 May 2026
-
The axolotl is one of evolution’s greatest biological mysteries.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Multiple baffles within the bladder help keep the liquid from sloshing around excessively, while a wide waterproof zipper across the top makes for easy filling, cleaning, and adding of electrolytes.—
Ben Coxworth
May 11,
New Atlas,
11 May 2026
-
This baffles and outrages Angela, a protective mom who, with other parents, pushes back against Gabor using her math classroom as a forum for introducing the outside world’s worst actions.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Nobody ever confuses two white NASCAR drivers!—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
The odor masks the scent of animals' preferred vegetables and confuses insect pests, including aphids, carrot flies, cabbage worms and loopers, spider mites, thrips, and Japanese beetles.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Nandi is experiencing severe insomnia, tremors and psychosis, and her quickly deteriorating condition bewilders the emergency room staff.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The designs were puckish and gender-bending, evoking both awe and repulsion—the sort of clothing that titillates lovers of conceptual fashion and bewilders the uninitiated.—
Ana Karina Zatarain,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzles. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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