puzzling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "puzzling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is confusing or difficult to understand. Example: "The instructions were so puzzling that I had to ask for help to figure them out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What is much more puzzling is how relatively relaxed the general public appears to be about all this.

The Guardian - Tech

The UK's former top climate diplomat at the foreign office, John Ashton, told the Guardian that the decision by Australia was puzzling.

The Guardian

On the face of it this does not have a lot to do with the specialised mechanical discipline that is fast bowling, or indeed the career of Steven Finn, England's own talented, statistically prodigious man-of-the-moment-before-last, whose falling away from the front rank is one of the more puzzling base notes of a generally puzzling tour of Australia.

The Guardian - Sport

Which makes it all the more puzzling to understand why there has been so much outrage over the last few days about remarks Enda Kenny made at the Davos economic summit last week.

The Guardian

When the Bafta nominations were declared on 9 January, there was an even more puzzling – nay, outrageous – omission.

The Guardian - Film

Barker, the McDonald's spokeswoman, said the "inference" of the Guardian's inquiries about the company's tight knit board was "quite puzzling".

The Guardian - Business

It is this element of the ECB's public rhetoric this week that has been most puzzling.

The Guardian - Sport

Against that backdrop, he said that "for a major player not to send an elected representative is a pretty puzzling decision".

The Guardian

No substitute is required for his whisky, which is a rather puzzling addition.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Other Stoic writers, however, do not spend as much time as Seneca does puzzling over the proper attitude towards riches.

The Guardian - Books

"I do find it very puzzling as to why there is this strong feeling.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "puzzling", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing confusion. For instance, specify the event, situation, or concept that is difficult to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "puzzling" to describe something that is already well-understood or explained. The term is most effective when highlighting a genuine lack of clarity or understanding.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "puzzling" functions primarily to describe something as difficult to understand or explain. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts to highlight a lack of clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

28%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "puzzling" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe something that is difficult to understand or explain. Ludwig AI confirms the wide acceptance and correct usage of this word. Its primary function is to express confusion or uncertainty, and it is commonly found in neutral registers across news, business, and scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "baffling", "mystifying", and "perplexing" offer subtle variations in meaning. To use "puzzling" effectively, ensure the context clearly defines what is causing the confusion and avoid using it to describe already well-understood concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baffling

Emphasizes the inability to understand or explain something.

mystifying

Suggests something that is difficult to understand or explain, often with an element of intrigue.

perplexing

Highlights the state of being confused or bewildered.

enigmatic

Focuses on the mysterious and obscure nature of something.

incomprehensible

Indicates a complete inability to understand something.

unfathomable

Suggests that something is impossible to fully understand or explore.

bewildering

Implies causing someone to become confused and disoriented.

confounding

Highlights the act of causing surprise or confusion.

obscure

Emphasizes the lack of clarity or explicitness.

ambiguous

Focuses on uncertainty or inexactness of meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "puzzling" in a sentence?

You can use "puzzling" to describe something that is difficult to understand. For example, "The reason for his sudden departure remains "puzzling"".

What are some alternatives to the word "puzzling"?

Alternatives to "puzzling" include "baffling", "mystifying", or "perplexing", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "a puzzling thing"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct to say "a puzzling thing". It means something that is difficult to understand or explain.

What's the difference between "puzzling" and "confusing"?

"Puzzling" implies a difficulty in understanding or making sense of something, while "confusing" suggests a state of being disoriented or unclear. Something "confusing" may lead to errors, while something "puzzling" simply requires more thought to understand.