conundrum
Americannoun
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a riddle, the answer to which involves a pun or play on words, as What is black and white and read all over? A newspaper.
-
anything that puzzles.
noun
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a riddle, esp one whose answer makes a play on words
-
a puzzling question or problem
Etymology
Origin of conundrum
First recorded in 1590–1600; pseudo-Latin word of obscure origin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The upside risks from oil prices only adds to that conundrum.
From Barron's
The subject line of your email, to play therapist for a moment, was illuminating and revealed the heart of your conundrum.
From MarketWatch
Sri Lanka and India are providing sanctuary to 434 sailors from three Iranian naval vessels targeted or threatened by the United States, a diplomatic conundrum as the war spills into the Indian Ocean.
From Barron's
However, there is a moral conundrum hovering over your letter: “What do I owe him?”
From MarketWatch
There are almost no conundrums faced by Sir Keir and his government that this war does not make even harder.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
