puzzling

[ puhz-ling ]

adjective

1. confusing or baffling:

   a puzzling answer.

noun

1. the skill or pastime of constructing or working crossword or other puzzles.

Other Words From

• puzzling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of puzzling¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; puzzle + -ing ²

Example Sentences

"Religion is one of the most fascinating and puzzling aspects of ancient civilizations," Tanasi said.

From Science Daily

But it was also their most puzzling and ineffective performance.

From BBC

Voyager 1 and 2 spacecrafts captured the first close-up images, and then in 1995 Nasa’s Galileo spacecraft flew past Europa taking some deeply puzzling pictures.

From BBC

What makes this casting choice more puzzling is that Milo Manheim sings and plays guitar with a rock god’s swagger as the Voice of Johnny.

From Los Angeles Times

India beat Pakistan by six wickets for their first win of the Women's T20 World Cup, but remain in a precarious position in the group-stage table because of their puzzling approach with the bat.

From BBC

Related Words

• ambiguous
• baffling
• bewildering
• difficult
• incomprehensible
• inexplicable
• mystifying
• obscure
• perplexing
• surprising
• unclear
• unfathomable