puzzled; puzzling
ˈpə-zə-liŋ 
ˈpəz-liŋ
1
: to offer or represent to (someone) a problem difficult to solve or a situation difficult to resolve : challenge mentally
also
: to exert (oneself, one's mind, etc.) over such a problem or situation
they puzzled their wits to find a solution
2
archaic
: complicate, entangle
3
: to solve with difficulty or ingenuity
puzzle out an answer to a riddle
1
: to be uncertain as to action or choice
2
: to attempt a solution of a puzzle by guesswork or experiment
puzzle over the mystery
1
: the state of being puzzled : perplexity
2
a
: something that puzzles
b
: a question, problem, or contrivance designed for testing ingenuity
Synonyms
Examples of puzzle in a Sentence
Verb
The cause of the accident has puzzled investigators.
it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors
Noun
a book of puns, riddles, and puzzles
the final fate of the colonists at Roanoke remains a puzzle to this very day
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024
The proposal was puzzling to Sandy Bahr, director of the Grand Canyon chapter of the Sierra Club.
—Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024
Social media speculation about Catherine erupted after a series of puzzling events that left the public grasping for more information about the princess’s health and happiness.
—Tatum Hunter, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
These differences and others have puzzled researchers for decades.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
Long conversations ensued between Max and various salesmen, all of them pointing at my legs, puzzled expressions on their faces.
—Paul Tough, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2024
The giant moon that glowed behind Batiste didn’t quite vibe with the spirit of the song, but the luminous orb was at least eye-catching, if puzzling.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024
You could be forgiven for finding the confusion surrounding her absence puzzling.
—Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2024
Researchers are also puzzled by its unique packaging.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024
USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
The whole set is made from high-quality wood, including the wooden puzzle base/tray.
—Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024
Orchestrating the steady coexistence of residences and industry has become a pressing puzzle for city planners.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2024
The Day-Date—a serious watch associated with multiple U.S. presidents—morphed into a pastel puzzle with hippy-dippy messages in place of the weekdays and emoticons in place of the date.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
But which of the many, many panels, sweeps, puzzles, and quizzes rank among the best of the best?
—Tanner Stransky, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2024
Many of them use Russian as their main language, creating a complex cultural puzzle among Vilnius’s different ethnic communities, which are tied together by a common history but divided by mutual historical grievances.
—Tomas Dapkus, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
That appeared to be the best choice since the other teams that tried to breakdance were struggling and the teams that did the puzzle ended up finishing in the top 3.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
Think of it as trying to solve a complicated puzzle where various players, including experts, are figuring out how different pieces fit together best.
—Simi Thambi, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
Verb
With these unique back teeth, where these animals fit in the timeline of mammal evolution has been puzzling.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024
The proposal was puzzling to Sandy Bahr, director of the Grand Canyon chapter of the Sierra Club.
—Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024
Social media speculation about Catherine erupted after a series of puzzling events that left the public grasping for more information about the princess’s health and happiness.
—Tatum Hunter, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
These differences and others have puzzled researchers for decades.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
Long conversations ensued between Max and various salesmen, all of them pointing at my legs, puzzled expressions on their faces.
—Paul Tough, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2024
The giant moon that glowed behind Batiste didn’t quite vibe with the spirit of the song, but the luminous orb was at least eye-catching, if puzzling.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024
You could be forgiven for finding the confusion surrounding her absence puzzling.
—Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2024
Researchers are also puzzled by its unique packaging.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024
Noun
Note: Most subscribers have some, but not all, of the puzzles that correspond to the following set of solutions for their local newspaper.
—USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
The whole set is made from high-quality wood, including the wooden puzzle base/tray.
—Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024
Orchestrating the steady coexistence of residences and industry has become a pressing puzzle for city planners.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2024
The Day-Date—a serious watch associated with multiple U.S. presidents—morphed into a pastel puzzle with hippy-dippy messages in place of the weekdays and emoticons in place of the date.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
But which of the many, many panels, sweeps, puzzles, and quizzes rank among the best of the best?
—Tanner Stransky, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2024
Many of them use Russian as their main language, creating a complex cultural puzzle among Vilnius’s different ethnic communities, which are tied together by a common history but divided by mutual historical grievances.
—Tomas Dapkus, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
That appeared to be the best choice since the other teams that tried to breakdance were struggling and the teams that did the puzzle ended up finishing in the top 3.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
Think of it as trying to solve a complicated puzzle where various players, including experts, are figuring out how different pieces fit together best.
—Simi Thambi, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'puzzle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
origin unknown
First Known Use
Verb
1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing puzzle
Articles Related to puzzle
Dictionary Entries Near puzzle
Cite this Entry
“Puzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puzzle. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
puzzle
2 of 2 noun2
a
: something that puzzles
b
: a question, problem, or device designed for testing skill or cleverness
More from Merriam-Webster on puzzle
Nglish: Translation of puzzle for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of puzzle for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share