puzzle
noun
a toy, problem, or other contrivance designed to amuse by presenting difficulties to be solved by ingenuity or patient effort.
was puzzling
-
past progressiveof puzzle.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The finding was puzzling, said Ellen Brickman, a director at the firm.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
"So it was puzzling to see black holes with masses inside this gap."
From Science Daily ● Nov. 11, 2025
“It was puzzling to find flashlights to be rejected, to help a midwife deliver her services at night.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2024
At first glance this was puzzling, since high-pressure minerals like silica are rare among the lunar regolith, as the it was not believed to have experienced pressures high enough.
From Salon ● Feb. 8, 2024
Biddy had her face all twisted up like she was puzzling something out, but when I said that, she seem like she understood what was wrong now.
From "Girls Like Us" by Gail Giles
