PUZZLING Synonyms: 214 Similar and Opposite Words

puzzling 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of puzzling

as in inexplicable

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Dissimilar Words

as in perplexing

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Dissimilar Words

puzzling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of puzzle

as in baffling

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of puzzling

Adjective

Once in position, the telescope will take data that astronomers like me hope will help answer some of the field’s most puzzling questions. — Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 To a neutral onlooker, Savio’s fee, when weighed against his limited impact in the Premier League, is among the more puzzling in recent memory. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Verb

Overrun with puzzling plot points, several cameos and a bloated supporting cast, the series fails to stick the landing. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026 Around the Street -The financial press is doing an admirable job of puzzling through the confluence of causes of the brutal global bond-market rout, without pretending to arrive at a discrete cause. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for puzzling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzling

Adjective

When the doors finally opened, nearly every player was sitting in front of his locker, most still in uniform, waiting to explain what seemed to be inexplicable.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Montanans are suffocating due to an affordability crisis, rising fuel prices and an inexplicable war.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of inexplicable

Verb

Their admirable determination makes Diamantis’ flight from the United States baffling for us and humiliating for them.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
The sequel, on the other hand, is shaped by baffling decisions from director Susanne Bier and cinematographer Simon Duggan that render the film antiseptic.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of baffling

Adjective

Someone who has regarded filmmaking as a mysterious occupation might begin to see a way into it.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
But despite these regular airings, the origin of the mysterious Jardine Star Brooch has remained tantalizingly unexplained for decades.

— Eva Wolchover, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of mysterious

Verb

The threats are constantly evolving, layering upon themselves with bewildering speed.

— Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
But these casting decisions are bewildering, to say the least, and will certainly cost the film ticket sales and potential revenue.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of bewildering

Adjective

Painfully aware of this, Shawn waited for one of the drunk old men to comment, heckle, make one of those incomprehensible jokes that drew rude laughter from adults.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Sure, the story is incomprehensible, and Dylan is far from a great actor.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of incomprehensible

Adjective

But at the center of this story is a man named Michael Organ who turns out to be a bizarre, seemingly dangerous conman.

— Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026
Aside from spreading fear and anxiety through the agricultural labor force — which might be the point, if the hope is many will self-deport — the surge is having some other bizarre and probably unintended consequences.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026