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

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

Example 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

How Tony would regard the film is a riddle that answers and negates itself, like his tattoo of a snake eating its own tail. — Laurie Woolever, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026 Early in the offseason, Johnson scratched his head at the riddle. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Verb

Twelve days later, Rajab’s body was found in a car riddled with bullets. — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 Current legal avenues are also riddled with loopholes, as Big Tech fights them in court, claiming that some laws infringe on free speech. — Allyson Kapin, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for riddle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for riddle

Noun

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is about to launch on an incredible adventure to help scientists explore the great mysteries of the universe.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Why the Central African Republic agreed to accept migrants from the US is still something of a mystery.

— Mick Krever, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of mystery

Verb

Woodland drilled his second shot on the par-5 18th hole from 279 yards to 9 feet, 4 inches.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
Options considered during the analysis included drilling holes in the existing piles and adding more steel inside, or widening the pile caps so more piles could be added on the outside.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of drill

Verb

Their forensic multi-scale remote sensing (MSRS) framework combines satellite radar, laser scanning, and ground-penetrating radar to find suspicious areas, investigate them in detail, and probe what may be happening underground.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
This can be from a gunshot, bone fragment, or anything that would be used to penetrate the brain.

— Connie Etermadi, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of penetrate

Noun

Cartoonists on Dolly Parton's life and legacy Join 350,000+ subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 29 Aug. 2026
Its study of dark matter and dark energy could also give scientists new insights into two of the most confounding puzzles in astronomy.

— Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of puzzle

Verb

But Pete took the idea one step further, taking the organization’s iconic symbol — the star — and suffusing it with a deeper meaning.

— Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Cowin has brought the tradition up to date beginning in the late 1970s by suffusing her work with the look and feel of cinema and television (close-ups, storyboard-style progression), and the centering of women’s experience in the narrative.

— Leah Ollman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of suffuse

Noun

Its findings could also unlock clues about dark energy and dark matter, and some of the universe’s biggest enigmas.

— Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Rafa is a kind of enigma, an international sports figure who’s massively well liked and well known across the globe, but who has maintained an inner private life that is very authentically Spanish.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of enigma

Verb

James showed excellent vision and punch, and paired with Kaelon Black and Christian McCaffrey, the Niners should have three worthwhile, trustworthy backs this season.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
Ross doesn’t tend towards punch-the-air climaxes—just warm, excitable builds.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of punch

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“Riddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riddle. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of riddle

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verb

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