riddle 1 of 2

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

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riddle

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun riddle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of riddle are enigma, mystery, problem, and puzzle. While all these words mean "something which baffles or perplexes," riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.

the riddle of the reclusive pop star

When might enigma be a better fit than riddle?

While the synonyms enigma and riddle are close in meaning, enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.

his suicide remains an enigma

When is mystery a more appropriate choice than riddle?

The words mystery and riddle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.

the mystery of the stone monoliths

When could problem be used to replace riddle?

The synonyms problem and riddle are sometimes interchangeable, but problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

problems created by high technology

Where would puzzle be a reasonable alternative to riddle?

In some situations, the words puzzle and riddle are roughly equivalent. However, puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.

the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

Examples 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 riddle
Noun
Jokes told in the ancient language of the sagas may come off like riddles to the uninitiated. Jonah Walters, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2024 Some of it can be fun, as players sleuth their way into restricted areas, or suss out how to solve riddles. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
The project was reportedly riddled with challenges, given that workers were building the tunnel at an elevation of 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) in a mountainous region. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024 In Oregon, a house cat died after consuming raw pet food, riddled with the virus, which prompted a nationwide recall. Will Stone, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for riddle 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riddle
Noun
  • Fall can be an autumnal festival or murder mystery.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Now, a non-fictional Space Bus named Pandora is ready to investigate celestial mysteries, like exoplanets that orbit small stars.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Open More Federal Lands and Waters to Drilling Trump will likely move quickly to open additional onshore and offshore acreage to drilling.
    Dan Eberhart, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
  • An international team of scientists has achieved a groundbreaking feat in climate research by drilling a core of ice that could hold secrets dating back more than a million years.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • One system fans can follow is the COLD system, as explained by doctors in the Sports Medicine and Performance Center at the University of Kansas Health System: Clean: clean clothes avoid dirt or moisture that could allow the wind and cold to penetrate.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 14 Jan. 2025
  • For decades, scientists have been using large drills to penetrate Arctic ice sheets and extract columns of ice up to 11,000 feet long.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Need help with today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle?
    Mark Cooper, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Big thanks to Rylan for helping get this puzzle started!
    Sam Corbin, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • As dawn unfurls, golden rays pierce through the coastal mist, revealing a path of broken branches and impossibly large footprints winding past the door of my luxurious tented shelter.
    Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Her vocals drift and disappear into the ether as her thoughts do, but the highs are piercing and often at war with aggressive bass levels.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The little hotel in the lakeside village of the same name on the outskirts of Amsterdam—just 30 minutes by bicycle from the city center—is suffused with angled sunlight that adds to its historic character and slow-living charm.
    Ann Abel, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • But on race days like this one, the air is suffused with something special.
    Longreads, Longreads, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • And my feeling was to just refuse to acknowledge this kind of enigma stuff.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Dec. 2024
  • And now, people can also dive into this fantastic effort from the Atlanta enigma.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The playoffs could not come at a much worse time for the Steelers, who were punching above their statistical weight for three months before the luck-factor odds (notably, turnover margin) caught up to them.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2025
  • But there are plenty of non-moderates who punched significantly above their weight too, such as Reps. Grace Meng, Rob Menendez, Chuy García, Juan Vargas and Sylvia Garcia.
    Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Riddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riddle. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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