puzzling 1 of 2

puzzling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of puzzle

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 puzzling
Adjective
These conflicting versions created a puzzling cognitive dissonance. Lane Sainty, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2024 What’s more puzzling, some experts say, is that Target is repeating its mistake of alienating progressive customers. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
But in several puzzling cases, no source of infection has been identified. Evan Bush, NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024 The recent sightings of puzzling unidentified aircraft in New Jersey and other states have triggered yet another round of unanswered questions — and fueled conspiracy theories. Leonard David, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for puzzling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzling
Adjective
  • The choice to center a film that primarily exists as a primer on the Gospels for young viewers around the parenting struggles of a 19th century literary figure who is not exactly at the forefront of culture is inexplicable.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Doncic was traded seemingly at the peak of his career, which made the trade even more shocking and inexplicable.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Dodgers’ offense is more talented than the last 10 days have indicated, which makes this stretch all the more perplexing.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Their silence is a bit perplexing, given that many of them claim to be focused on current events and trending topics.
    Christian Paz, Vox, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Some people are already well aware of Norse Atlantic, despite the company’s somewhat mysterious profile.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Nathan Carman died by suicide in his jail cell in 2023 as the prime suspect in his mother’s mysterious 2016 drowning death at sea — and in the 2013 shooting death of his wealthy grandfather.
    KC Baker, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The baffling sight of the car inside the hangar came amid a larger expedition led by a team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In contrast with the often thoughtful use of space, the production is marred by a baffling design choice.
    Christian Lewis, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Researching feels incomprehensible or inapplicable, especially as a business owner.
    Bree Manay, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The answer may not be satisfying, but maybe that’s the point: the crime was always going to be incomprehensible.
    Bailey Seybolt, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The magnitude of the pause was unclear, the analysts said, but the comments raised fears that Amazon was doing something similar to Microsoft’s recent move to pull back on some early stage projects.
    Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
  • With five years to go, the industry’s likelihood to reach this across the board remains unclear.
    Amy Nguyen, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Even more bizarre was the depth the starlight's dip changed with every transit.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The gay man who was involved in Rep. Nancy Mace’s viral meltdown at an Ulta Beauty store is speaking out about the bizarre incident.
    Abby Monteil, Them., 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, those professions grew because the accountant must also talk to clients, ask them questions, make judgement calls about sometimes vague tax code interpretations and execute numerous other judgements on a daily basis.
    Ismail Amla, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Instead of vague goals, such as align with human values, researchers and developers can talk about specific contexts and roles for AI more clearly.
    Aidan Kierans, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Puzzling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzling. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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