puzzling
adjective
puz·zling
| \ ˈpə-zə-liŋ
, ˈpəz-liŋ\
, ˈpəz-liŋ\
Definition of puzzling
: difficult to understand or solve
puzzling symptoms
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Examples of puzzling in a Sentence
The directions are somewhat puzzling.
Recent Examples on the Web
In 1998, Serfaty discovered an irresistibly puzzling problem about how these vortices evolve in time. — Quanta Magazine, "In Mathematics, ‘You Cannot Be Lied To’," 21 Feb. 2017 Machado displayed breathtaking flashes of ability mixed with puzzling lapses of effort. — Los Angeles Times, "History shows Dodgers will make a splashy deal ahead of baseball trade deadline," 27 July 2019 The puzzling plaque represented her discomfort with (though not, significantly, any overt objection to) a plan to so callously disrespect the dead. — Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, "Race, History, and Memories of a Virginia Girlhood," 18 July 2019 That just makes ignoring the show’s female lead all the more puzzling -- and infuriating. — Los Angeles Times, "Rhea Seehorn is the best thing about ‘Better Call Saul.’ So where’s her Emmy nomination?," 16 July 2019 All of this serves as a pleasing, if puzzling, backdrop for the wings — so good that a rival business once tried to hire the chef. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: I’ll never be a regular at Koreatown’s OB Bear, but I’m glad to be a guest," 1 Apr. 2019 German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s support is more puzzling. — The Editorial Page, WSJ, "Germany’s Russian Gaslight," 18 Jan. 2019 The most puzzling incident was the decision by second baseman Addison Russell to throw home in a failed attempt to nail the tying run at home plate. — Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "9th-inning debacle against Pirates haunts Cubs in 4th straight loss," 3 July 2019 Meet the Press host Chuck Todd asked other puzzling questions. — Justin Worland, Time, "The Debates Showed America Still Doesn't Know How to Talk About Climate Change," 29 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'puzzling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for puzzling
puzzling
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of puzzling
: causing or likely to cause confusion : difficult to solve or understand
See the full definition for puzzling in the English Language Learners Dictionary
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