1
as in inexplicable
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in perplexing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in baffling
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 puzzling
Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
But a deeper look at the data also suggests something more puzzling: the Gen Z voters who overwhelmingly helped propel Joe Biden to the White House in 2020 are not the same Gen Z voters who backed a second Trump term in 2024.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
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
Adjective
Chris Coffey, a political strategist who worked on Andrew Yang’s unsuccessful 2021 mayoral run, noted petitioning in the 2025 race starts next week, making Adams’ apparent lack of a campaign operation more puzzling.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
But a deeper look at the data also suggests something more puzzling: the Gen Z voters who overwhelmingly helped propel Joe Biden to the White House in 2020 are not the same Gen Z voters who backed a second Trump term in 2024.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 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
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Which, kind of, explains Dylan’s latest inexplicable Instagram missive: a no-context re-post of a 2016 in-store performance by Machine Gun Kelly at Park Ave.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2025
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The glacial pacing and clunky script work in tandem with deviations from the source text, including an inexplicable bathtub masturbation scene, to make a cinematic crime for the ages.—
Eddie Mouradian,
Vulture,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This perplexing synergy triggers everything from mixed signals and missed messages to an overwhelming feeling that something’s just a bit… off.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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In almost no time Sophie and Laura had managed to untie one knot, only to find a tighter and far more perplexing one at its center.—
Hannah Gold,
Harper's Magazine,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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During the course of the series, Mullen's investigation into the cyberattack unearths the mysterious weapon.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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There are dramatic headlines, nonsensical abbreviations and mysterious trends that seem to erase people’s money.—
Catherine Brock,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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One huge factor here is that Wilds did not have a somewhat baffling Switch-only launch like Rise did, accounting for almost all of this huge sales gap.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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Even more baffling: Lemons went back to work just three weeks later!—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
EW.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In a twist that’s almost incomprehensible today, the Chinese government even officially adopted the US State Department’s method for reporting air quality.—
Zeyi Yang,
WIRED,
5 Mar. 2025
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This defendant’s actions are incomprehensible, and he will be held accountable.—
Stepheny Price,
Fox News,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The next Starship test flight was previously expected to take place as early as April, although the exact timing of the flight is unclear.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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The severity of Walker’s injury is unclear, but Espada told reporters Thursday that the 34-year-old first baseman will travel to Houston for an MRI.—
Chandler Rome,
The Athletic,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The bizarre case of Luigi Mangione should also be considered a needless stain on Baltimore.—
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Mar. 2025
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The bizarre incident occurred early Tuesday when authorities say a man hopped a metal fence of a home in the 900 block of Wakefield Avenue and set fire to a black sedan in the front yard.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Asking about frustrations in a broad, theoretical sense is too vague to elicit actionable insights.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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The reference is vague and does not signal any specific American commitment to safeguarding Ukraine’s security.—
Andrew E. Kramer,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzling. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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