puzzle

[puhz-uhl] / ˈpʌz əl /

NOUN

challenging, mysterious problem

Synonyms

STRONGEST

conundrum enigma mindboggler problem

STRONG

brainteaser grabber mystery paradox poser question riddle sticker stickler stumper teaser

WEAK

chiller closed book rune sphinx

VERB

baffle, confuse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

amaze befuddle bemuse bewilder complicate confound disconcert distract disturb dumbfound flabbergast flummox frustrate mystify nonplus perplex rattle stump

STRONG

addle bamboozle beat befog buffalo discombobulate floor foil obscure pose snow stir stumble throw

WEAK

get to profundicate psych out put off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

appease calm clarify clear up comfort enlighten explain explicate facilitate help soothe

STRONG

aid assist lose

WEAK

elucidate illustrate not care unravel

VERB

wonder about

Synonyms

STRONG

brood cudgel marvel muse ponder study

WEAK

ask oneself mull over rack one's brains think about think hard

Antonyms

STRONG

forget ignore neglect

WEAK

clarify elucidate explain illustrate not care unravel

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.

A puzzle for today is the sluggish response of the opposition, led by Ms. Machado.

From The Wall Street Journal

Supporters told us they felt puzzled by others using AI to help them pick their squads.

From BBC

You also have to think about how Social Security will fit into this retirement-income puzzle.

From MarketWatch

And as soon as we opened up that door in the pages, it connected some puzzle piece I didn’t know was missing.

From Los Angeles Times

On this side of the Atlantic, her name usually elicits a puzzled “Who?”

From The Wall Street Journal