puzzle

1 of 2

verb

puz·​zle ˈpə-zəl How to pronounce puzzle (audio)
puzzled; puzzling ˈpə-zə-liŋ How to pronounce puzzle (audio)
ˈpəz-liŋ
Synonyms of puzzlenext

transitive verb

1
: to offer or represent to (someone) a problem difficult to solve or a situation difficult to resolve : challenge mentally
also : to exert (oneself, one's mind, etc.) over such a problem or situation
they puzzled their wits to find a solution
2
archaic : complicate, entangle
3
: to solve with difficulty or ingenuity
puzzle out an answer to a riddle

intransitive verb

1
: to be uncertain as to action or choice
2
: to attempt a solution of a puzzle by guesswork or experiment
puzzle over the mystery
puzzler
ˈpə-zə-lər How to pronounce puzzle (audio)
ˈpəz-lər
noun

puzzle

2 of 2

noun

1
: the state of being puzzled : perplexity
2
a
: something that is difficult to solve, resolve, or understand : something that puzzles
At the time, the nature of insect flight was still quite a puzzle …—James Gorman
b
: something (such as a game or test) that is designed to be challenging to answer or solve
a crossword puzzle
a logic puzzle
see also jigsaw puzzle

Synonyms

Verb

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for puzzle

Verb

puzzle, perplex, bewilder, distract, nonplus, confound, dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally.

puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

Noun

mystery, problem, enigma, riddle, puzzle mean something which baffles or perplexes.

mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.

the mystery of the stone monoliths

problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

problems created by high technology

enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.

his suicide remains an enigma

riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.

the riddle of the reclusive pop star

puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.

the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

Examples of puzzle in a Sentence

Verb The cause of the accident has puzzled investigators. it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors Noun a book of puns, riddles, and puzzles the final fate of the colonists at Roanoke remains a puzzle to this very day
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Most were puzzled about how the car came to be buried on the property in the first place...and why. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024 And those puzzling propositions need extra pondering. —George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
This set comes with a 100- and a 500-piece puzzle—each depicts a cozy winter scene. —Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 5 Nov. 2024 The answers for the puzzle will be revealed at the bottom of the page. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for puzzle 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of puzzle was in 1582

Phrases Containing puzzle

Dictionary Entries Near puzzle

Puzo

puzzle

puzzle box

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Puzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puzzle. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

puzzle

1 of 2 verb
puz·​zle ˈpəz-əl How to pronounce puzzle (audio)
puzzled; puzzling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce puzzle (audio)
1
: to confuse the understanding of
2
: to solve with difficulty or cleverness
puzzler
-(ə-)lər How to pronounce puzzle (audio)
noun

puzzle

2 of 2 noun
1
: puzzlement sense 1
2
a
: something that puzzles
b
: a question, problem, or device designed for testing skill or cleverness

More from Merriam-Webster on puzzle

Nglish: Translation of puzzle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of puzzle for Arabic Speakers

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