maze

1 of 2

noun

ˈmāz How to pronounce maze (audio)
Synonyms of maze
1
a
: a confusing intricate network of passages
b
: something confusingly elaborate or complicated
a maze of regulations
2
chiefly dialectal : a state of bewilderment
mazelike
ˈmāz-ˌlīk How to pronounce maze (audio)
adjective

maze

2 of 2

verb

mazed; mazing

transitive verb

1
chiefly dialectal : stupefy, daze
2
: bewilder, perplex

Synonyms of maze

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Noun

Verb

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Examples of maze in a Sentence

Noun The experiment measured the time it took for a mouse to find its way through a maze to get its reward of cheese. The school is a maze of classrooms. a maze of rules and regulations Verb I'm completely mazed by the multitude of plans for health insurance.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Visitors can purchase pumpkins, visit the Halloween store, bar and bakery, and enjoy the outdoor playground, petting zoo and hay maze. — Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026 The next play was an even longer heave into a maze of bodies in the end zone, called an interception before going to review. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 What is a ball maze if not a puzzle that looks like a roadmap? — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 Planning began in April, months before visitors would step into the maze. — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maze

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of maze was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing maze

Rhymes for maze

See All Rhymes for maze

Browse Nearby Words

mazdoor
maze
mazedly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maze. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

maze

noun
ˈmāz
1
: a confusing complicated network of passages
2
: something complicated or elaborate
a confusing maze of regulations

Medical Definition

maze

noun
ˈmāz How to pronounce maze (audio)
: a path complicated by at least one blind alley and used in learning experiments and in intelligence tests

More from Merriam-Webster on maze

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about maze

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