You might be very articulate, but your language understanding is still shallow if you do not have enough vocabulary to use. Vocabulary helps open doors to a new world and opportunities. Expand your grammar by learning the conundrum definition, meaning, and usage.
Conundrum: a problem or a puzzle that is difficult to solve. Use the word when talking about an intricate or challenging problem. When a problem is a “conundrum,” it does not mean that it is not solvable, only that solving it is not easy. Use mystery, difficult, or dilemma in sentences as synonyms.
Reading this definition is not enough to know the best way to use the word “conundrum.” In this article, we will discuss more on this word to help you better understand and how you can use it. By the time you finish reading this article on conundrum definition, meaning, and usage, you will be able to use “conundrum” correctly in any context.
What is the Definition of Conundrum?
Conundrum: a paradox situation or a dilemma. It describes a difficult choice or decision that you must make. Use the word when talking about a resolution that you have to make which involves two or more choices. In some cases, you might want all of them, and in others, it might be that you want none.
Here are three sentence examples:
- Maybe the best solution to the fuel conundrum is mandatory carpooling.
- I am trying to solve the conundrum, which is why my head is hurting.
- The best way to solve this conundrum is to avoid teaching religion to young children.
Common Word Phrases with the Word Conundrum
You might have come across some of these phrases. We will narrow it down to two commonly used phrases and their meanings. Here we go!
- Ethical conundrum: Ethical conundrum is a problem that causes people to decide based on their values. Such problems can lead to someone questioning their beliefs, like what is right or wrong.
- Moral conundrum: Moral conundrum is when someone is in a situation where they have to pick one of two choices. However, anyone they choose is not the right thing to do because it might harm someone or a group of people. Yet, they cannot opt-out of this choice since they are a part of the question.
What is the Meaning of Conundrum?
Conundrum: question or a problem that has conjecture answers. For a statement to be a conundrum, it has to have incomplete information. In that case, there are no clear or right answers.
Here are three sentence examples:
- The riddle was a conundrum that no one in our class got the answer to.
- Our science teacher gave us the conundrum: the research project was a waste of our time.
- There is no point in coming up with elaborate conundrums.
Words Related to Conundrum
Did you know that in many languages, more than one word has the same meaning? Such words are synonyms. In the same manner, you will also find more than one word with opposite meanings, and these words are antonyms. Therefore, whenever you learn a new word, it is also important to learn the related words. That will help to enhance your vocabulary. Besides, if there is a word you already know, it will help you better understand the new word you learn.
Synonyms of Conundrum
- Mystery
- Riddle
- Stickler
- Paradox
- Enigma
- Puzzle
- Challenging
- Dilemma
- Anagram
- Catastrophe
- Bind
- Chaos
- Issue
- Collapsible
- Crash
Antonyms of Conundrum
- Confidence
- Agreement
- Breakthrough
- Peace
- Explanation
- Answers
- Solution
- Resolution
- Disclosure
- Explosion
- Imparting
- Avowal
- Shock
- Publishing
- Giveaway
Rhymes of Conundrum
The other way that words relate to each other is when they rhyme. Rhyming words have the same sound but not the same meaning. With that in mind, here are words that rhyme with a conundrum.
- Maximum
- Forum
- Optimum
- Random
- Problem
- Fathom
- Atom
- Platinum
- Handsome
- Overcome
- Organism
- Seldom
- System
- Vacuum
- Freedom
Words People Confuse with Conundrum
When you learn new words, it might take time to comprehend the meanings or even remember them fully. As a result, you will likely make a few mistakes when using them. Here is a look at some popular words that most people confuse with conundrums. Learn to avoid making mistakes.
Conundrum vs. Dilemma
The words conundrum and dilemma are synonyms, but they have a slight difference where conundrum means a difficult question or riddle. On the other hand, a dilemma means choosing between two or more alternatives where all of them are undesirable.
Conundrum vs. Paradox
Though they are synonyms, the words conundrum and paradox definition and usage can be slightly different. A conundrum is a question that requires using words of play in the answers. In contrast, a paradox is a self-contradicting statement that can be false when true and vice-versa.
How to Use Conundrum in a Sentence
Some questions and puzzles are difficult and complex to solve. If you want to describe such instances or situations in your sentences, use the word “conundrum.” When using this vocabulary, note that it is a noun.
What Are the Family Words of the Conundrum?
But first, what part of a speech is conundrum? Whenever you encounter a new word, prioritize learning the part of speech they are from. That will help you form coherent sentences. For example, in the case of “conundrum,” this is a noun. Words that are nouns name a person, place, animal, or thing.
It is also vital to learn about the word forms. Learning these words will help you know how to use the primary word in different sentences correctly. However, the word conundrum is a single word without other word forms.
10 Examples of Conundrum in a Sentence
The best way to remember a new word you have learned is by speaking it into reality. But, if you do not know how to use it in your sentences, you might not know the best way to speak it. This can also be challenging if you do not know how to incorporate the words in your sentences.
To help you get started, here are ten sentences to help you practice the word “conundrum.”
- When will the police crack the conundrum mystery behind the summer murders?
- If you do not deal with this conundrum, you might have to close your company.
- Why should we solve this conundrum while the information given is not true?
- One thing that I have come to realize is that the economy is a conundrum.
- That is merely a curious conundrum.
- Time will eventually provide answers to that conundrum.
- The prince is a conundrum; he is a young adult with major strength but does not seem to care about other people.
- The teacher bragged that there is no conundrum math quiz that his top student cannot solve.
- Upset by the conundrum, Stacey found it difficult to eat.
- If you do not make a fast decision, you will be in a conundrum.
How Do You Spell Conundrum?
The spelling of the word “conundrum” is “C.O.N.U.N.D.R.U.M.” When writing the word in any context, ensure that you use the spelling correctly. That way, those reading it will understand what you are communicating.
If you read the Old English language, you will come across different spelling versions of the word “conundrum” such as quadundrum, conundrum, conimbrum, and conuncrum. These are different spelling versions of the word “conundrum” that people used before the 17th century.
How Do You Pronounce Conundrum?
The correct way to spell the word “conundrum” is “kuh-nuhn-druhm.” When pronouncing the word, start slow, speed up in the middle, and finish slowly.
How Many Syllables Are In Conundrum?
The word “conundrum” has three syllables divided as “con.nun.drum.” The stressed syllable of the word is “nun.”
History & Etymology of Conundrum
Not everything in the English language has proper documentation. Some records have been misplaced over time, and that is why the date of the origin of the word “conundrum” is unknown. But some claims state that its initial use was as a pseudo-Latin word to describe someone who was fussy or silly.
Before you start embracing a new word, it helps to research its roots. You might sometimes come across words you recognize that share the same roots, which will help you connect the word you are learning to those you are familiar with. This will also increase the chances of remembering the new word you have learned. Unfortunately, at the moment of writing this article, no source records a clear history and etymology of the word “conundrum.”
When Was Conundrum First Used?
The first record of the word “conundrum” was in the 16th century. It was first recorded in work that Thomas Nashe did. Originally, the word was a term for abuse of crack or pedant. But, after some time, it devolved into a whim, fancy, or pun.
Conclusion
So are you, or do you know someone in a “conundrum?” This is a difficult problem that does not seem to have a solution. Now that you know the conundrum meaning and definition, practice using it in various contexts in writing or when speaking to your friends and peers.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.