riddle

1 of 4

noun (1)

rid·dle ˈri-dᵊl

Synonyms of riddle next

: a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed : conundrum, enigma

: something or someone difficult to understand

riddle

2 of 4

verb (1)

riddled; riddling ˈrid-liŋ

ˈri-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to speak in or propound riddles

transitive verb

: to find the solution of : explain

: to set a riddle for : puzzle

riddler

ˈrid-lər

ˈri-dᵊl-ər

noun

riddle

3 of 4

verb (2)

riddled; riddling ˈrid-liŋ

ˈri-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

: to separate (something, such as grain from chaff) with a riddle : screen

: to pierce with many holes

riddled the car with bullets

: to spread through : permeate

a book riddled with errors

Choose the Right Synonym for riddle

mystery, problem, enigma, riddle, puzzle mean something which baffles or perplexes.

mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.

the mystery of the stone monoliths

problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

problems created by high technology

enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.

his suicide remains an enigma

riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.

the riddle of the reclusive pop star

puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.

the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

Examples of riddle in a Sentence

Noun (1) his motives for starting an argument with the coach were a complete riddle Verb (2) several signs along the highway were riddled by buckshot the newspaper exposé revealed a gaming commission that is riddled with corruption

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The title character, a princess, poses three riddles to noblemen who seek to marry her. —

David A. Keeps, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024 Of the many riddles that confront corporate chief executives in the course of their work, perhaps the most important is when to quit. —

Emma Goldberg Sarah Mollo-Christensen Tanya Pérez Sharon Kearney, New York Times, 9 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for riddle

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'riddle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English redels, ridel, from Old English rǣdelse opinion, conjecture, riddle; akin to Old English rǣdan to interpret — more at read

Noun (2)

Middle English ridel, going back to Old English hriddel (attested once), alteration (by dissimilation or suffix substitution) of hridder, hrīder, going back to Germanic *hrīdra- (whence also Old Saxon hrīdra "sieve," Old High German rītera), going back to Indo-European *krei̯(h₁)̯-dhro- or *krei̯(h₁)̯-tro- (whence Latin crībrum "sieve," Old Irish críathar, Old Welsh cruitr "winnowing fan"), from *krei̯(h₁)- "sift, separate" + *-dhro-, *-tro-, suffixes of instrument — more at certain entry 1

Note: See note at acetabulum.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1571, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of riddle was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Riddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riddle. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

riddle

1 of 4 noun

rid·dle ˈrid-ᵊl

: a baffling, misleading, or puzzling question presented as a problem to be solved or guessed : conundrum

: something or someone difficult to understand

riddle

2 of 4 verb

riddled; riddling ˈrid-liŋ

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to find the answer for a riddle or mystery

: to create a riddle for : mystify

: to speak in riddles

riddler

-lər

-ᵊl-ər

noun

riddle

3 of 4 noun

: a coarse sieve

riddle

4 of 4 verb

riddled; riddling ˈrid-liŋ

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to sift or separate with or as if with a riddle

: to pierce with many holes

riddled the car with bullets

: to spread through

a book riddled with mistakes

Etymology

Noun

Old English rǣdelse "opinion, riddle"

Noun

Old English hriddel "a coarse sieve"

Last Updated: 19 May 2024 - Updated example sentences

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riddle

noun (1)

verb (1)

noun (2)

verb (2)

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Synonyms

Examples of riddle in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition