puzzling

adjective

puz·​zling ˈpə-zə-liŋ How to pronounce puzzling (audio)
ˈpəz-liŋ
Synonyms of puzzlingnext
: difficult to understand or solve
puzzling symptoms
puzzlingly adverb

Examples of puzzling in a Sentence

The directions are somewhat puzzling.
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.
But for Democrats, the aversion may seem more puzzling. — Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026 Researchers hope the effort may yield clues about dark matter as well as an equally puzzling force known as dark energy. — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 Researchers hope the effort may yield clues about dark matter as well as an equally puzzling force known as dark energy. — ABC News, 30 June 2026 Yet, those teams don't make Tyler Dragon's list of the four teams that had the most puzzling offseasons. — Jim Reineking, USA Today, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for puzzling

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puzzling was circa 1659

Rhymes for puzzling

See All Rhymes for puzzling

Browse Nearby Words

puzzler
puzzling
puzzlingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puzzling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puzzling. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on puzzling

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for puzzling

Nglish: Translation of puzzling for Spanish Speakers

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