Enigma
mediumih-NIG-muh
noun
Definition
A puzzling person or thing; something mysterious or inexplicable
Examples
“The patient's sudden recovery remained an enigma to the medical team, defying all conventional diagnostic explanations.”
“Despite decades of research, the ancient civilization's disappearance remains an enigma that historians continue to debate.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Enigma is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "mystery" or "puzzle" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "certainty".
Related GRE Words
involved
Complicated or difficult to understand; intricate
shrouded
Covered or enveloped so as to conceal from view
arcane
Understood by few; mysterious or secret
abstruse
Difficult to understand; obscure
recondite
Little known; abstruse; dealing with very profound, difficult, or specialized subject matter
cryptic
Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure
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