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

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