maze

1 of 2

noun

ˈmāz How to pronounce maze (audio)
Synonyms of maze
1
a
: a confusing intricate network of passages
b
: something confusingly elaborate or complicated
a maze of regulations
2
chiefly dialectal : a state of bewilderment
mazelike
ˈmāz-ˌlīk How to pronounce maze (audio)
adjective

maze

2 of 2

verb

mazed; mazing

transitive verb

1
chiefly dialectal : stupefy, daze
2
: bewilder, perplex

Synonyms of maze

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Noun

Verb

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Examples of maze in a Sentence

Noun The experiment measured the time it took for a mouse to find its way through a maze to get its reward of cheese. The school is a maze of classrooms. a maze of rules and regulations Verb I'm completely mazed by the multitude of plans for health insurance.
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The delays are not exactly surprising, nor does the blame for them lie with the city — a number of state and federal agencies are in charge here, each navigating their own bureaucratic mazes. — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026 In Chicago, Maya was confused, lost in an arboretum maze, until 6-year-old Anthony joyfully led her out. — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026 The haunted maze is open Friday and Saturday nights in October after the sun goes down. — Hali Smith october 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 Oct. 2026 Inside McGuire’s Irish Pub, the moody, maze-like dining room is a far cry from the bright and airy seafood joints most vacationers are used to frequenting. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maze

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of maze was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing maze

Rhymes for maze

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Browse Nearby Words

mazdoor
maze
mazedly
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Cite this Entry

“Maze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maze. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

maze

noun
ˈmāz
1
: a confusing complicated network of passages
2
: something complicated or elaborate
a confusing maze of regulations

Medical Definition

maze

noun
ˈmāz How to pronounce maze (audio)
: a path complicated by at least one blind alley and used in learning experiments and in intelligence tests

More from Merriam-Webster on maze

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about maze

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