brainteaser
Puzzle requiring thought
A brainteaser is a puzzle or problem designed to challenge thinking, often requiring lateral reasoning or clever insight rather than straightforward knowledge: The interviewer asked a brainteaser about how many golf balls fit in a school bus.
Brainteasers appear in job interviews, games, and casual conversation as entertainment or tests of mental agility.
Puzzling question to solve
- conundrumPerplexing problem or question
- enigmaSomething hard to fathom
- cryptogramCoded message puzzle
- crosswordClue-based letter grid
sudoku · jigsaw · maze · labyrinth · rebus · anagram · cipher · tangram
Matter requiring resolution
- stumperUnanswerable question
- head-scratcherPerplexing problem or question
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
mystery · perplexity · trick question · catch · twist · solution · aha moment · breakthrough
Science of valid reasoning
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
lateral thinking · critical thinking · pattern recognition · spatial reasoning · mental agility · cleverness · ingenuity · insight
Amusement or pleasure
- entertainmentAgreeable diversion of attention
- diversionRedirection of attention
- playfulnessLighthearted, frisky spirit
- recreationRefreshment through leisure
whimsy · pastime · leisure · game night · party game · icebreaker · time-killer · mental exercise
riddle
Puzzling question to solve
- conundrumPerplexing problem or question
- enigmaSomething hard to fathom
- cryptogramCoded message puzzle
crossword · sudoku · jigsaw · maze · labyrinth · rebus · anagram · cipher · tangram · logic puzzle
problem
Matter requiring resolution
- stumperUnanswerable question
- head-scratcherPerplexing problem or question
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
dilemma · mystery · perplexity · trick question · catch · twist · solution · aha moment · breakthrough · mental block
logic
Science of valid reasoning
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
- deductionConclusion from premises
inference · lateral thinking · critical thinking · pattern recognition · spatial reasoning · mental agility · cleverness · ingenuity · insight · concentration
fun
Amusement or pleasure
- entertainmentAgreeable diversion of attention
- diversionRedirection of attention
- playfulnessLighthearted, frisky spirit
recreation · whimsy · pastime · leisure · game night · party game · icebreaker · time-killer · mental exercise · hobby
- mind tricksoptical illusion, mind games, magic tricks, riddles, puzzles
- puzzlespuzzles, sudoku, jigsaw puzzle, puzzle cube, crossword
- brain gameslogic puzzles, puzzles, crossword puzzles, word puzzles, memory games
- brain teasersriddle, logic puzzles, puzzle, brainbuster, paradoxes
- cryptic puzzlesriddle, cipher, code, cryptogram, enigma
brainteaserno-brainer
Self-evident decision
gimme · child's play · piece of cake · slam dunk · cinch