puzzling

Adjective

WordNet 3.0

not clear to the understanding“I didn't grasp the meaning of that enigmatic comment until much later”“prophetic texts so enigmatic that their meaning has been disputed for centuries”Synonyms: enigmatic enigmatical
lacking clarity of meaning; causing confusion or perplexity“sent confusing signals to Iraq”“perplexing to someone who knew nothing about it”“a puzzling statement”Synonyms: confusing perplexing

puzzle \puz"zle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. puzzled (p[u^]z"z'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. puzzling (p[u^]z"zl[i^]ng).]

1.To perplex; to confuse; to embarrass; to put to a stand; to nonplus. [1913 Webster]

A very shrewd disputant in those points is dexterous in puzzling others.— Dr. H. More.[1913 Webster]

He is perpetually puzzled and perplexed amidst his own blunders.— Addison.[1913 Webster]

2.To make intricate; to entangle. [1913 Webster]

They disentangle from the puzzled skein.— Cowper.[1913 Webster]

The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate, Puzzled in mazes, and perplexed with error.— Addison.[1913 Webster]

3.To solve by ingenuity, as a puzzle; -- followed by out; as, to puzzle out a mystery. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To embarrass; perplex; confuse; bewilder; confound. See Embarrass. [1913 Webster]