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.

Still, that explanation did not fully solve the puzzle.

From Science Daily

Yet puzzlingly, they remain sidelined in the current affordability conversation.

From MarketWatch

These effects are small but could help explain some couples' puzzling shifts in chemistry over time.

From BBC

It is puzzling why Ju Ae, a daughter, would be selected as the heir above an older son in North Korea's deeply patriarchal society.

From BBC

However, the sheer size of the HR 8799 planets and their wide orbits puzzled scientists.

From Science Daily