as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
the conundrum of how an ancient people were able to build such massive structures without the benefit of today's knowledge and technology
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Recent Examples of conundrum
The reasoning was similar to the running back conundrum; the one difference being, of course, that it was widely believed the Panthers could benefit from upgrading the room.
—
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Apr. 2026
The conundrum began in the summer of 2023, when NOAA personnel aboard the Okeanos Explorer sent a robot about two miles down to explore a small seamount and found the golden orb, which was about four inches in diameter, connected to a rock.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Tune in for short episodes every Wednesday and Saturday as Grumpy answers reader questions, solves seasonal conundrums, and provides need-to-know advice for gardeners with his very Grumpy sense of humor.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
The solution to the conundrum overhanging how Georgia will conduct elections is at an impasse.
—Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conundrum
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Apr. 2026
The conundrum began in the summer of 2023, when NOAA personnel aboard the Okeanos Explorer sent a robot about two miles down to explore a small seamount and found the golden orb, which was about four inches in diameter, connected to a rock.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Tune in for short episodes every Wednesday and Saturday as Grumpy answers reader questions, solves seasonal conundrums, and provides need-to-know advice for gardeners with his very Grumpy sense of humor.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
The solution to the conundrum overhanging how Georgia will conduct elections is at an impasse.
—Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conundrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conundrum
Noun
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No such mystery surrounded the whereabouts of Daniel Kinahan, the forty-eight-year-old Irishman who was arrested in Dubai on April 17th.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
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These materials are key to technologies such as ultrasound, sonar, and high-efficiency sensors, but their complex, disordered structure has remained a mystery for decades.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The sudden departure of new cast member Helena Bonham Carter just days into shooting has become the first great enigma of this season, leaving the French Riviera production in a scenario as uncertain as one of Mike White's scripts.—
Diego Parrado,
Vanity Fair,
26 Apr. 2026
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Bob Gray is one of the big enigmas in the book that are intentionally put there to create tension and are never solved.—
Scott Huver,
Deadline,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conundrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conundrum. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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