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.

"You could really see the opportunity -- not just for a crossword puzzle, but for a collection of games," he noted.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

The shocking answer unlocks a puzzle that has been troubling her, along with others that “The Kindness of Strangers” has laid out for the reader.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Today, entanglement is more than a philosophical puzzle.

From Science Daily • May 13, 2026

A single puzzle is released every day, with all players attempting to solve the same word.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

He was still trying to put the puzzle pieces together.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

puzzle

Example Sentences

Related Words