puzzle out
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Trying to puzzle out what he “really” meant, as opposed to what he actually said, will get you nowhere.
From Salon • Feb. 9, 2025
The leader of the secretive state has never actually revealed his birthday, leaving North Korea watchers to puzzle out when it actually takes place.
From BBC • Jan. 9, 2024
Gasque expressed appreciation for the input from people who study the middle ionosphere, or mesosphere, and the stratosphere, whose ideas helped her puzzle out the solution.
From Science Daily • Dec. 8, 2023
Without information from a weather radar or other optical measurements, he says, it is challenging to puzzle out the small-scale processes within thunderstorms.
From National Geographic • Oct. 6, 2023
That provoked more laughter from the bidders, and a scowl from the auctioneer, who was fingering his whip indecisively as he tried to puzzle out whether this would work to his benefit.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
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From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.