RIDDLE Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

riddle 1 of 2

noun

ˈri-dᵊl

Definition of riddle next

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

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

as in to penetrate

to spread throughout the newspaper exposé revealed a gaming commission that is riddled with corruption

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

You might have been confused about where to put your efforts for your career in the recent past, but someone else can give you a clue to solving this riddle. —

Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024 Outside of the tech industry, employees have been trying to help their peers outsmart the interview process by sharing thorny questions on the likes of Glassdoor: Fortune was able to find many of the quirky riddles Goldman Sachs asks its candidates on the careers platform. —

Alena Botros, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024

Verb

This marked a resurgence of a long tradition of American border vigilantism that had been riddled with violence and white supremacist ideology. —

Tess Owen, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024 His opponent was riddled with controversy to say the least. —

ABC News, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for riddle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for riddle

Noun

Still, the family is on edge, unnerved by the nightly mystery.

Alyce McFadden, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2024
The art on view, in its day, was cutting-edge but infused with Gothic mystery, much as the best Christmases are about busy people, living in the present, gathering to reflect, reminisce, and hope for a miracle or two.

Brian T. Allen, National Review, 7 Dec. 2024