conundrum
3 synonyms for conundrum, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A confusing or difficult problem, often one without a clear solution.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
brain-teaser
How to use conundrum
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a real conundrum
face a conundrum
solve a conundrum
Etymology
Origin unknown; it appeared in the 1500s-1600s as a playful, mock-scholarly Latin-sounding coinage, in the same spirit as "hocus-pocus."
Full origin of conundrum →Frequently asked questions
What does “conundrum” mean?
The word “conundrum” means a confusing or difficult problem, often one without a clear solution. In plain terms, a tricky problem or puzzling dilemma.
How do you pronounce “conundrum”?
“Conundrum” is pronounced kuh-NUHN-druhm (/kəˈnʌn.dɹəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “conundrum” in a sentence?
Here is “conundrum” used in a sentence: “Choosing between the two job offers was a real conundrum.”
What part of speech is “conundrum”?
“Conundrum” is a noun.
Where does the word “conundrum” come from?
The word “conundrum” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Latin. Origin unknown; it appeared in the 1500s-1600s as a playful, mock-scholarly Latin-sounding coinage, in the same spirit as "hocus-pocus.".
