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GRE vocabulary

enigma

nounHigh-frequency wordMore E words

something puzzling, mysterious, or hard to understand

Word origin: From Greek ainigma, a riddle.

In a sentence

Enigma in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing enigma in a sentence.

His sudden disappearance remained an enigma for decades.

The composer's sudden silence after a single symphony remains an enigma to music historians.

Synonyms
mysterypuzzleriddle
Antonyms
claritycertainty
Usage & nuance

Using “enigma” well

An enigma is something mysterious that resists explanation, whether a person, an event, or a puzzle. It implies genuine difficulty, not a riddle with an easy answer.

Common questions

Questions about “enigma

Enigma (noun) means something puzzling, mysterious, or hard to understand
Here is enigma used in an example sentence: "His sudden disappearance remained an enigma for decades." Another example: "The composer's sudden silence after a single symphony remains an enigma to music historians."
Common synonyms for enigma include mystery, puzzle, riddle.
Antonyms of enigma include clarity, certainty.
Clusters with mystery, puzzle, and riddle in Sentence Equivalence. Its antonyms clarity and certainty mark the opposite.
Yes. Enigma is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

Learn words the way the GRE tests them.

Vocabulary sticks when you meet it in real sentences. Practise these words inside text completion and sentence equivalence questions.