conundrum

noun

kə-ˈnən-drəm How to pronounce conundrum (audio)
Definition of conundrumnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 conundrum Majeranowski described the challenge as a classic chicken-and-egg conundrum. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026 The conundrum of ‘weighting’ Beyond the challenges from prediction markets, pollsters confront the stubborn problem of low response rates. — W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026 The pantry, Valley Interfaith Community Resource Center, recognized the men’s conundrum. — Claire Galofaro, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 This conundrum has led to the rise of Coast FI (short for Coast Financial Independence). — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conundrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conundrum
  1. mystery
  2. enigma
Noun
  • What these calls might mean, exactly, has long been a mystery.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But what Becerra stands for remains a mystery that only the next four years will reveal.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of mystery
Noun
  • PBHs could help resolve other enigmas, too, for instance by acting as seeds for the rapid growth of supermassive black holes in the early universe.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
  • After decades of perspective-shifting literary retellings like Wide Sargasso Sea and The Mists of Avalon and the current trend of feminist Greek myths, Cathy is an enigma begging for some traumatic backstory to staple her flaws together.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of enigma

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contusions
conundrum
conundrums
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Cite this Entry

“Conundrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conundrum. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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