You could have solved this puzzle with a little more patience.
Source: tatoeba (31260)
Puzzle
/ˈpʌzl̩/
Synonyms for "puzzle" (277 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (56)
Strong matches (83)
Noun(18 words)
Adjective(2 words)
dutch schuivenimponderable
Determiner(1 words)
few problems
Related words (138)
Noun(33 words)
Adjective(4 words)
mattermatter of ignorancemazemind bogglermind-bogglermuddlemull overmuse onmuse overmysterymystificationmystifynnodenodusnonplusnut to crackoxymoronparadoxperplex
Show 70 more words
perplexed questionperplexityperturbperturbationpickleplagueplightponder overpons asinorumposeposerpotherpredicamentproblemput output to itpuzzle outpuzzle overpuzzlementpuzzlerquandaryquestionquestion markreflect overriddlescrapesealed bookshakesixty-four dollar questionsolvesort outstaggerstewstew overstickstickerstudystumblestumpstumperstymietangleteaserterra incognitathe incalculablethe strangethe unfamiliarthe unknowablethe unknownthink hardthink throughthrowtormenttough propositiontroubleunassurednessunexplored groundunexplored territoryunknownunknown quantityunlockunravelupsetvexvexed questionwhywork outworryxz
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: acrostics, addle, ail, amaze, amaze.
- Sentence evidence is available for puzzle, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, wordnet, opengloss, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "puzzle".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "puzzle"
Keep "puzzle" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "puzzle" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "puzzle", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "puzzle" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
25 entriesShowing 16 of 25 words.
More specific
8 entriesCollocations
9 entriesbrain teasercrossword puzzlejigsaw puzzlelogic puzzlemath puzzlepuzzle bookpuzzle gamepuzzle piecesolve puzzle
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
5 entriesTranslations
3 translations across 1 languages.
Finnish
3 entries- askarruttaa verb ((intransitive) to feel confused or mystified because one cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.)
- pohdiskella verb ((intransitive) to think deeply in bewilderment to try to work out a complicated matter, a problem, etc.)
- pähkäillä verb ((intransitive) to think deeply in bewilderment to try to work out a complicated matter, a problem, etc.)
Sample sentences
52 total sentences available.
I can't finish this part of the puzzle.
Source: tatoeba (35261)
Have you worked the puzzle out?
Source: tatoeba (44651)
I can't figure out how to solve the puzzle.
Source: tatoeba (44653)
Showing 4 of 52 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "puzzle"?
Closest matches include acrostics, addle, ail, amaze, amaze.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "puzzle"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.