puzzling 1 of 2

puzzling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of puzzle

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
His dry market is quite puzzling, considering how many teams could use his services. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025 My initial impression was rather puzzling—was this a hotel, a clinic, or a clinic disguised as a hotel? Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
But in several puzzling cases, no source of infection has been identified. Evan Bush, NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024 The recent sightings of puzzling unidentified aircraft in New Jersey and other states have triggered yet another round of unanswered questions — and fueled conspiracy theories. Leonard David, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for puzzling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puzzling
Adjective
  • The choice to center a film that primarily exists as a primer on the Gospels for young viewers around the parenting struggles of a 19th century literary figure who is not exactly at the forefront of culture is inexplicable.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Doncic was traded seemingly at the peak of his career, which made the trade even more shocking and inexplicable.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Dodgers’ offense is more talented than the last 10 days have indicated, which makes this stretch all the more perplexing.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Their silence is a bit perplexing, given that many of them claim to be focused on current events and trending topics.
    Christian Paz, Vox, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Some people are already well aware of Norse Atlantic, despite the company’s somewhat mysterious profile.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • She's just been visited by a mysterious mate named Donnie, who claims to be a friend of Harry's.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While Joel is essentially the same character in both, Ellie was changed in pretty baffling ways for the show.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • But the reality is that this was a microcosm of this thrilling, frustrating and baffling Wolves season.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Researching feels incomprehensible or inapplicable, especially as a business owner.
    Bree Manay, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The answer may not be satisfying, but maybe that’s the point: the crime was always going to be incomprehensible.
    Bailey Seybolt, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • How long those plates can keep spinning is unclear, especially as tariffs start nudging up costs for American consumers.
    Anne Marie Drummond Lee, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • But the net effects remain unclear, and would depend on each particular player’s strength and swing.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Even more bizarre was the depth the starlight's dip changed with every transit.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The gay man who was involved in Rep. Nancy Mace’s viral meltdown at an Ulta Beauty store is speaking out about the bizarre incident.
    Abby Monteil, Them., 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead of vague goals, such as align with human values, researchers and developers can talk about specific contexts and roles for AI more clearly.
    Aidan Kierans, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In fact, those professions grew because the accountant must also talk to clients, ask them questions, make judgement calls about sometimes vague tax code interpretations and execute numerous other judgements on a daily basis.
    Ismail Amla, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puzzling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puzzling. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on puzzling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!