Find Synonyms
puzzle Synonyms
Another word for puzzle
Choosing another word for puzzle depends on context, so the 26 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 4 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
• noun (Context 1)
A game, toy, or problem designed to test ingenuity, logic, or knowledge.
Usage Example
"She spent the entire rainy afternoon putting together a thousand-piece brainteaser."
Strongest
brainteaser
Strong
jigsaw
jigsaw puzzle
riddle
conundrum
• noun (Context 2)
A person, thing, or situation that is difficult to understand or explain.
Usage Example
"The precise motive for the historical crime remains a mystery to modern historians."
Strongest
mystery
enigma
conundrum
Strong
riddle
perplexity
paradox
• verb (Context 3)
To cause someone to feel confused because they cannot understand or make sense of something.
Usage Example
"The sudden and severe drop in temperature puzzles local meteorologists."
Strongest
baffle
perplex
bewilder
mystify
confuse
confound
Strong
stump
bemuse
flummox
nonplus
• verb (Context 4)
To think hard about a difficult problem or situation in order to understand or solve it.
Usage Example
"He puzzled over the encrypted letter for hours before finally breaking the code."
Strongest
ponder
Strong
mull over
rack one's brains
cogitate
ruminate
deliberate
Weak
brood
Opposites of puzzle
The opposite of puzzle shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:
enlighten
clarify
illuminate
open book
ignore
explain
explanation
clear up
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Puzzle. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 11, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/puzzle