as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
his motives for starting an argument with the coach were a complete riddle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to drill
to make a hole or series of holes in
several signs along the highway were riddled by buckshot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to penetrate
to spread throughout
the newspaper exposé revealed a gaming commission that is riddled with corruption
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of riddle
Erik Kain, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
The riddle has stumped scholars for over a century, and as a result, little is known about its authors.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 7 Feb. 2025
Those next two years there, we just were riddled with injuries.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riddle
Noun
Here’s the riddle: This thing all things devours; Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats mountain down.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
The riddle has stumped scholars for over a century, and as a result, little is known about its authors.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
Our agricultural and food safety systems are riddled with loopholes that have allowed this virus to spread.
—Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 7 Feb. 2025
Those next two years there, we just were riddled with injuries.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riddle
Noun
-
Read: The mystery writer S.A. Cosby made a list of his favorite tales of the human monsters who wait for us in the dark.—
Emmett Lindner,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
-
But Conclave was so interesting and exciting in a completely different way — and fun, with a little mystery involved.—
The Hollywood Reporter,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Any little momentum that Team Chuck had built was taken away after Curry drilled one of his signature deep three-pointers, pulling up from the half-court line to make the 39-foot bucket.—
Homero De la Fuente,
CNN,
17 Feb. 2025
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Now in spring training, Keith is drilling first base with infield coach Joey Cora.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The different weights of hyaluronic acid are able to penetrate different layers of the skin, which results in longer-lasting hydration and a plumper, smoother texture.—
Danielle Cohen,
Glamour,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Although the bullet didn’t penetrate Yarl’s brain, the impact knocked him to the ground.—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The move largely reduced the volume of sacks that had routinely stalled the offense and was a vital piece to the financial puzzle the Broncos had to navigate after releasing the veteran.—
Nick Kosmider,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
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One of the puzzles in Animal Well (2024) requires memorizing a route to escape a gigantic ghost cat.—
Lewis Gordon,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
And that’s not all: Ellis says there’s also an emerging trend for parents and their children of all ages piercing their bodies at the same time.—
Hannah Silverman,
Parents,
14 Feb. 2025
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But nowhere pierces my heart more than German cemeteries, where special sections are dedicated to babies who die before or shortly after birth.—
Blane Bachelor,
AFAR Media,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
They are also suffused with a subtle but withering social satire.—
Richard Fausset,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025
-
But there’s a tender vulnerability to his characters, and the daffy empathy that suffuses the writing is unique to Arbery.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
An ace in 2023 and an enigma in 2024, Senga is the biggest X-factor on the Mets’ roster for 2025.—
Tim Britton,
The Athletic,
12 Feb. 2025
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At the heart and soul of James Mangold’s time capsule stands Timothée Chalamet, whose embodiment of Dylan’s superhuman genius – and his human frailties – brings electric life to an iconic enigma.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The United States has already punched its ticket to the final.—
Richard Deitsch,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
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When the ball found the bottom of the cup at 18, Aberg clenched his fist, punched the air, hugged his caddie and smiled.—
Kirk Kenney,
Orlando Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riddle. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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