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
There's no riddle nor mystery to be figured out 'Indiana Jones style' here though. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2025 Literary folks will recognize this as one of the riddles from Bilbo and Gollum’s famous exchange. Erik Kain, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
To me cold weather outfits are often riddled with nondescript turtleneck sweaters and boring puffer coats. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 16 Jan. 2025 In a Variety profile published on Friday, Jan. 10, the Grammy winner — whose real name is Abel Tesfaye — gave several rare comments about his 2023 HBO series, which was slammed by critics and riddled with controversies even before it was released. Luke Chinman, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for riddle 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riddle
Noun
  • With new mysteries such as dark matter, dark energy, the search for a quantum theory of gravity, the Hubble tension and the cause of the Big Bang all perplexing physicists, now would be a great time for another transformation in science akin to that of a century ago.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The rest of Severance was a chilly riot, an alienating collage of surreal imagery (goats!), puzzle-box mysteries, buffoonish characters, and tensely familiar workplace dynamics.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Environment Trump's environmental policy platform mirrors Project 2025 in two main areas: drilling for fossil fuels and pulling out of the Paris Accords.
    Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The executive orders and memoranda take the first steps to fulfilling many of Trump’s promises from the campaign trail: withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement, drilling more oil and natural gas, and repealing multiple Biden-era environmental directives and departments.
    Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 21 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
  • The gang, armed with rifles powerful enough to pierce an armored vehicle, is believed to have attacked from an alleyway along a winding dirt road between the embassy and the housing compound that isn’t always visible even when security measures are taken.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2025
  • This Ogden piercing fanatic deserves a follow simply for documenting his hilarious transition from TikTok to RedNote, complete with his first lip sync'ed Chinese love song.
    Erin Alberty, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Someone is behind the camera, a person whose presence quietly suffuses the poem.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Whatever the noble title, Cronenberg wore the moniker with the same winking irony that suffuses so much of his work – using genre as a kind of Trojan horse to get his unique vision to travel.
    Ben Croll, Variety, 1 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Also in the mix in the impressive cast is Andrew Scott as Agent Baron, an antagonist to Matt and Emily and someone whose presence is a bit of an enigma.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Big Brother is an enigma because the skillset of Big Brother doesn't translate to any other show.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Irish inched farther into field goal range over the next 26 seconds to set up kicker Mitch Jeter’s game winner from 41 yards out, punching their ticket to the national championship game.
    Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • One of Brown's entourage reportedly used a homophobic slur against Ocean, and Brown allegedly punched Ocean and threatened to shoot him, according to an incident report TMZ obtained.
    Alex Heigl, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Riddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riddle. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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