riddle 1 of 2

noun

ˈri-dᵊl How to pronounce riddle (audio)
Definition of riddlenext
as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain his motives for starting an argument with the coach were a complete riddle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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riddle

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to drill
to make a hole or series of holes in several signs along the highway were riddled by buckshot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to penetrate
to spread throughout the newspaper exposé revealed a gaming commission that is riddled with corruption

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun riddle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of riddle are enigma, mystery, problem, and puzzle. While all these words mean "something which baffles or perplexes," riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.

the riddle of the reclusive pop star

When might enigma be a better fit than riddle?

While the synonyms enigma and riddle are close in meaning, enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.

his suicide remains an enigma

When is mystery a more appropriate choice than riddle?

The words mystery and riddle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.

the mystery of the stone monoliths

When could problem be used to replace riddle?

The synonyms problem and riddle are sometimes interchangeable, but problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

problems created by high technology

Where would puzzle be a reasonable alternative to riddle?

In some situations, the words puzzle and riddle are roughly equivalent. However, puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.

the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

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 riddle
Noun
How imagination works, how influence unfolds, how history rhymes — these remain riddles. — New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026 London Falling is an investigation of an inexplicable death told through the lens of parents struggling to solve the riddle of who their son really was. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Verb
Photos of Haaland on the tarmac posted to social media were riddled with homophobia and comments questioning the striker’s masculinity. — Teddy Brown, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 Blyth was nominated in the supporting role as Mildred's spoiled daughter, Veda, who seduces her mother's second husband (Zachary Scott), then riddles him with bullets in a jealous rage. — ABC News, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for riddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riddle
  1. mystery
  2. drill
  3. penetrate
  4. puzzle
  5. pierce
  6. suffuse
  7. enigma
  8. punch
Noun
  • The aesthetic details of what will happen beyond the loading docks have been shrouded in mystery.
    — Meriam Bouarrouj, NBC news, 4 July 2026
  • Now, the historical society hopes community members hold the final missing pieces to the mystery.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of mystery
Verb
  • The Chileans drilled holes allowing workers to insert a camera and pinpoint his location.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • On his way to 25 points, Acuff made some sharp pick-and-roll reads, drilled some midrange pull-ups and drew a few and-1s.
    — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of drill
Verb
  • Education officials visited the company’s headquarters to see how the product worked and found that bullets did not penetrate the glass.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Israel has a long track record of targeting senior Iranian military officers and government officials and successfully penetrating the Iranian regime’s security.
    — Natasha Lebedeva, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Definition of penetrate
Noun
  • The New York Times’ Strands puzzle is a play on the classic word search.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Dedicate 30 minutes to an hour everyday to engage in a puzzle or arts and crafts project, depending on your child’s interests.
    — Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 4 July 2026
Definition of puzzle
Verb
  • The celebration opened with piercing fifes and thundering drums from the Young Patriots Fife & Drum Corps from Pleasanton, as a nod to America's quincentennial.
    — Brian Hackney, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • Another means of circumventing the protection of the real property company is through veil piercing using an alter ego theory.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of pierce
Verb
  • His brow is porcelain-smooth and suffused with light, his locks glossy and curled, his nose straight and regular.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • The seductive serenity of the Alps on a sunny day suffused the scene.
    — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of suffuse
Noun
  • SpaceX, however, took the flexible lockup approach, wrapped it in a puzzle, strapped it to an enigma, and sent it to live in a colony on Mars.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • In 2024, now grown and with her adoptive father’s approval, the young woman sets off with a wealthy merchant to piece together the historical enigmas surrounding the ancient Sumpa kingdom.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 June 2026
Definition of enigma
Verb
  • With group play coming to a close and the Round of 32 approaching, the competition is heating up as teams look to punch their tickets to the knockout round in hopes of hoisting the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the final on Sunday, July 19.
    — Jaclyn Hendricks, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • That punched El Tri's ticket straight to the Round of 16 and kept the host nation's tournament dream alive for at least one more match.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of punch

Phrases Containing riddle

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ridding
riddle
riddled
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Cite this Entry

“Riddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riddle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on riddle

Nglish: Translation of riddle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about riddle

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