stumper
Real head-scratcher
A stumper is a question or problem that defeats you—one you can't answer or solve: That last clue was a real stumper.
The word comes from the idea of being stumped, left baffled like a tree reduced to its stump.
Stumpers appear in quizzes, riddles, and crossword puzzles where difficulty is the point.
Difficult problem to solve
- brain-teaserChallenging mental puzzle
- head-scratcherPerplexing problem or question
- poserFake or stumper
- conundrumPerplexing problem or question
enigma · riddle · teaser · mystery · perplexity · baffler · mind-bender · cryptic
State of perplexity
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- impasseSituation without resolution
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
- bindFasten or obligate
pickle · tight spot · fix · jam · corner · catch-22 · no-win situation
Obstruction across a road
- hurdleBarrier to leap over
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- snagUnforeseen complication
- difficultyState of being hard
impediment · hindrance · complication · setback · challenge · bottleneck · sticking point · hard nut to crack
puzzler
Difficult problem to solve
- brain-teaserChallenging mental puzzle
- head-scratcherPerplexing problem or question
- poserFake or stumper
conundrum · enigma · riddle · teaser · mystery · perplexity · baffler · mind-bender · cryptic · trick question
quandary
State of perplexity
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- impasseSituation without resolution
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
bind · pickle · tight spot · fix · jam · corner · catch-22 · no-win situation
roadblock
Obstruction across a road
difficulty · impediment · hindrance · complication · setback · challenge · bottleneck · sticking point · hard nut to crack · brick wall
wicket
Small subsidiary entrance
- puzzlespuzzles, sudoku, jigsaw puzzle, puzzle cube, crossword
- brain teasersriddle, brain teaser, logic puzzles, puzzle, brainteasers
- mysteriesmystery, enigma, enigmas, puzzle, riddle
- Wicketkeeperskeeper, gloveman, standing back, standing up
- riddlesriddles, riddle, conundrums, conundrum, enigmas
- Troublesproblem, trouble, issue, setback, snag
stumperno-brainer
Self-evident decision
gimme · softball · cinch · piece of cake · pushover
stumpersolution
Answer or liquid mixture
answer · resolution · clarification · explanation · revelation
- tree stumpCut trunk remnant
- stump speechCandidate's standard campaign oration
- dumb as a stumpIdiom for extreme stupidity
- stump speechesRepeated political orations
- bloody stump
- on the stumpActively seeking political support