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 Word Forms

• puzzlingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of puzzling¹

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

Example Sentences

Tyler, the Creator had his fans searching for words after he announced the lineup for his annual music festival Camp Flog Gnaw in a puzzling manner.

From Los Angeles Times

Less remarked upon were the protests staged in O’Brien’s name which, at the time, were as diversionary as they were puzzling.

From Salon

The moms on the other side of the table all work year-round full-time jobs that necessitate puzzling together child care for 11 weeks while school is out.

From Los Angeles Times

Its new name is Enigmacursor - meaning puzzling runner - and it lived about 150 million years ago, running around the feet of famous giants like the Stegosaurus.

From BBC

It's fair to say the premise does not appeal to everyone - there are online forums puzzling at the popularity of a game which its detractors say is "the equivalent of watching paint dry."

From BBC

Related Words

• ambiguous 
• baffling 
• bewildering 
• difficult 
• incomprehensible 
• inexplicable 
• mystifying www.thesaurus.com
• obscure 
• perplexing 
• surprising 
• unclear 
• unfathomable