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.

Data from the James Webb Space Telescope provide another piece of the puzzle.

From Science Daily • May 5, 2026

Margins are the final piece of the puzzle for investors.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Those newer products have been one piece of the puzzle for big consumer-goods companies.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026

The game design award went to Tonda Ros, the solo developer behind puzzle adventure Blue Prince.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

It’s apparently like seeing pieces of a puzzle but not the picture the puzzle creates.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas