as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
the conundrum of how an ancient people were able to build such massive structures without the benefit of today's knowledge and technology
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Recent Examples of conundrum
Therein lies an existential conundrum facing the Big Three — General Motors, Ford and Stellantis.
—
Bob Woods, CNBC, 6 June 2026
Still, there are a few solutions to this travel conundrum.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
One set of bees was trained to recognize the flower as a source of sugary reward and that the ball could be moved into the pit, but they were not trained to solve the experimental conundrum.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026
Your questions and comments, as well as horticultural conundrums or successes, are always welcome.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for conundrum
Bob Woods, CNBC, 6 June 2026
Still, there are a few solutions to this travel conundrum.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
One set of bees was trained to recognize the flower as a source of sugary reward and that the ball could be moved into the pit, but they were not trained to solve the experimental conundrum.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026
Your questions and comments, as well as horticultural conundrums or successes, are always welcome.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for conundrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conundrum
Noun
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In addition to her work on BBC Radio 1, King co-hosts the podcast Novel Idea with Matt Edmondson, where the pair collaborate on writing a mystery novel, with each episode serving as a new chapter.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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For new discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines, follow NPR's Short Wave podcast .—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Even at the height of his fame, there were dubious aspects of his personal life — often self-seeded to sustain his enigma — that poked hellified holes in his impermeability as an entertainer.—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
3 June 2026
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Despite the city and Heal the Bay forming a Santa Monica Pier Task Force, adding netting to deter birds, and taking other measures to improve the water quality, the root of the problem remains an enigma.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conundrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conundrum. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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