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
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Recent Examples of puzzle
Elissa Suh, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2025
Advocating for myself to get the right diagnosis and treatment has been a major piece of that puzzle.
—Megan Pregmon, Flow Space, 23 July 2025
Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025
The first set was particularly puzzling, with de Minaur breaking Djokovic’s serve three times to take a one-set lead in the match.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Noun
Small spaces and bohemian bedrooms can benefit from this rounded rattan vanity, which comes with a matching stool that nestles perfectly into it like a puzzle.
—Elissa Suh, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2025
Advocating for myself to get the right diagnosis and treatment has been a major piece of that puzzle.
—Megan Pregmon, Flow Space, 23 July 2025
Verb
White posted a photo gallery on Instagram of him holding the new phone, looking both puzzled and intrigued.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025
The first set was particularly puzzling, with de Minaur breaking Djokovic’s serve three times to take a one-set lead in the match.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for puzzle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzle
Noun
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The cast for the first (and only) season of the Columbo-esque mystery series also featured Randall Park, Giancarlo Esposito, Susan Kelechi Watson, Edwina Findley, Bronson Pinchot, Mary Wiseman, Julieth Restrepo, Al Mitchell, Mel Rodriguez, Ken Marino, Jason Lee and Jane Curtin, among others.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
15 July 2025
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Fox went on to appear in 2009's Sherlock Holmes and 2018's Christmas Survival, as well as guest starring in several British mystery television shows, including Midsomer Murders, Death in Paradise and Downton Abbey.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Money terms and concepts continue to baffle people, many of whom are seeking answers through online searches.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
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At the time, I was perplexed and questioned if this was necessary.—
Susan Horava,
Health,
24 June 2025
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Ultimately, the remaining Islanders dumped Jeremiah and Hannah, a controversial move that left viewers at home perplexed as to why this decision was made.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
23 June 2025
Verb
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By 1915, scientists unearthed 2 million bones of large animals from La Brea, and a pattern emerged that both excited and confused them: too many predators.—
Ian Rose,
JSTOR Daily,
23 July 2025
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Two people can deliver the same message, but their delivery style can make the difference between motivating and confusing a team.—
Kendra MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Still, my friends and I, specifically those who were teen-agers or older at the time of 9/11, have been bewildered by the Islamophobia of the moment, which feels especially vintage and plainspoken, not massaged into obfuscatory rhetoric or angling for any greater point.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
13 July 2025
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In the moment, Kyle looked bewildered that the musician had singled him out, smiling with his mouth open in shock.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzle. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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