I. ˈpə-zəl verb
( puz·zled ; puz·zling ˈpə-zə-liŋ, ˈpəz-liŋ)
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1582
transitive verb
1. : to offer or represent to (as a person) a problem difficult to solve or a situation difficult to resolve : challenge mentally ; also : to exert (as oneself) over such a problem or situation
they puzzled their wits to find a solution
2. archaic : complicate , entangle
3. : to solve with difficulty or ingenuity
puzzle out an answer to a riddle
intransitive verb
1. : to be uncertain as to action or choice
2. : to attempt a solution of a puzzle by guesswork or experiment
puzzle over the mystery
• puz·zler ˈpə-zə-lər, ˈpəz-lər noun
Synonyms:
puzzle , perplex , bewilder , distract , nonplus , confound , dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally. puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve
the persistent fever puzzled the doctor
perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision
a behavior that perplexed her friends
bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking
a bewildering number of possibilities
distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests
distracted by personal problems
nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible
the remark left us utterly nonplussed
confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement
the tragic news confounded us all
dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound
was at first too dumbfounded to reply
II. noun
Date: circa 1612
1. : the state of being puzzled : perplexity
2.
a. : something that puzzles
b. : a question, problem, or contrivance designed for testing ingenuity
Synonyms: see mystery