85 Hard Riddles To Test Your Wits

Are you the kind of person who loves a hard riddle? So are we! There's something irresistibly intriguing about brain teasers that gets our neurons firing and ignites our competitive spirit, so what better way to keep the whole family entertained?

If you think you're a pro at solving the hardest riddles and tricky questions, you might change your mind after today. As avid fans of challenging puzzles and table games, we couldn't resist the urge to compile a collection of the internet's most mind-bending, hard riddles for adults! Our handpicked selection includes everything from brain teasers to logical puzzles that will perplex even the most seasoned riddle enthusiasts.

We're aware that some of these difficult riddles might have you stumped (we were, too!), so we've kindly provided the answers to each one below. Just remember, no peeking until you've given it your best shot! Take your time, savor the journey, and hopefully, these hard riddles with answers will feed your brain!

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woman doing silent hand sign What disappears as soon as you say its name?

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25points

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Deborah Harris 2 years ago (edited)

A gentle suggestion to all who post riddles, Can you please stop putting the answers straight after the question, as they are so near to the riddle that I and i'm sure others auto read them . Maybe if you put them at the end of the list or upside down more of us can enjoy your hard work, thank you.

15points

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This thing all things devours: birds, beasts, trees, flowers; gnaws iron, bites steel; grinds hard stones to meal; slays king, ruins town, and beats high mountain down.

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20points

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Michael A 2 years ago

Who else got this from The Hobbit?

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First, think of the color of the clouds. Next, think of the color of snow. Now, think of the color of a bright full moon. Now answer quickly what do cows drink?

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17points

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Nameless 4 2 years ago

Meanwhile, I dumbly answered "white"...

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The History of Riddles

It might come off as a surprise to you, but riddles are pretty much ancient! And by ancient, we mean that the first riddles, in the very same format that we know and use today, appeared as far back as in Babylonian times. Mind you, the city of Babylon has existed since the 18th century BC — thousands of years before our days!

The first attempt to define what a riddle is in a scholarly way was made much, much later than that, though, around the end of the 19th century by Robert Petsch. His work was succeeded by Archer Taylor, who, in 1918-20, did a massive job of cataloging myriads of riddles.

One interesting thing he has discovered is that some riddles are almost the same across continents and languages. Take, for instance, the writing riddle about black letters on white paper, the year riddle mentioning something in the count of twelve, and the cow riddle. Because, well, cows.

Ultimately, all ancient riddles were based on the things that people saw every day and found of significant meaning. Because where else would you find a greater meaning than in the human experience and condition?

Mike and Pat are in a desert. They both have packs on. Pat is dead. Mike, who is alive, has his pack open. Pat has his pack closed. What is in the packs?

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17points

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Your Neighborhood Alien 2 years ago

That got dark quickly 😅

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What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?

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16points

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Bukola Babatunde 1 year ago

This is a very popular riddle that has been making the rounds for several years now. I believe more recent, fresher riddles would put my "brainpower to the ultimate test."

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Kids telling a secret If you have it and you show it to other people, I’m gone. What am I?

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16points

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Abdullah Abdulrasaq 1 year ago

2points

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Why Do People Do Riddles?

Intellectual Challenge

Solving riddles isn't just a leisurely pastime; it's a mental workout that not only challenges our brains but also offers insights into our cognitive performance. This fulfilling activity caters to our dual instincts—one, the desire to showcase our intellectual competence, and two, the primal urge to conquer challenges.

Cognitive Exercise

Essentially, brainteasers act as a platform to display our analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and mental agility. As we unravel their complexities, we're not only deciphering their elements but also relishing the satisfaction of assembling the pieces into a coherent whole.

Aha! Moments

Moreover, riddles tap into our competitive spirit, triggering a determination to succeed. They're not just riddles to solve; they're quests to master. The sense of accomplishment that accompanies the final piece falling into place symbolizes our persistence and strategic acumen. In essence, puzzles become a stage upon which we demonstrate both our cognitive finesse and our yearning for victory, encapsulating the concept of being smart in action.

Higher IQ

Besides all this fun action and hefty rewards that solving really hard riddles gives us, solving brain teasers for around twenty minutes daily can raise your IQ! And this isn’t just anecdotal but proved by rock-solid research by Michigan University back in 2011.

What spends all the time on the floor but never gets dirty?

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Kusotare 2 years ago

You don't know my shadow!

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What has four fingers and thumb, but it is not living?

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Yi Juin 1 year ago

i thought it was a dead body

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Person standing in front of water and see reflection You can see me in water, but I never get wet. What am I?

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A reflection.

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What is the Hardest Riddle in the World?

You asked for it, we’ve found it! The hardest riddle in the world, dubbed the Polar Bear Riddle or the Harvard Riddle, goes like this:

I turn polar bears white, and I will make you cry. I make guys have to pee and girls comb their hair. I make celebrities look stupid and normal people look like celebrities. I turn pancakes brown and make your champagne bubble. If you squeeze me, I'll pop, but if you'll look at me, you'll pop.

Now, why is it titled as one of the hardest riddles of all time? Well, the legend has it that 97% of Harvard grads can’t solve it, so if you can, know that they owe you a diploma.

And what’s the correct answer to this riddle? We are not going to tell you that because it would spoil all the fun now, wouldn’t it?

#10

It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, cannot be heard, cannot be smelt. It lies behind stars and under hills, and empty holes it fills. It comes first and follows after, ends life, kills laughter.

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15points

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MB 2 years ago

Now I’m questioning whether darkness is something we can actually see

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#11

Which word in the dictionary is always spelled incorrectly?

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14points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: “Incorrectly.”

0points

#12

What word of five letters has only one left when two letters are removed?

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14points

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Kusotare 2 years ago

Boney. Clone. Shone. Drone.

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How Do You Find Answers to Riddles?

Feel like you need a crash course on finding answers to riddles before you tackle the aforementioned hardest riddle in the world? Don’t worry, we have some pointers on what to do when searching for answers to these tough questions:

Read and understand. Begin by reading the riddle carefully and making sure you understand the words and context used. Sometimes, riddles contain wordplay, puns, or hidden clues that can lead to the answer.
Break it down into smaller pieces. Try to identify key words and phrases and search for the meaning within them.
Think outside the box. Sometimes, riddles require thinking that’s beyond the obvious. So, if you think the answer is right in front of you, think again!
Think of similar riddles. If this isn’t your first rodeo, try to remember similar riddles you did before and apply the same rules of solving them to the one in front of you.

Hopefully, these pointers will help you solve these really hard riddles that await you on our list. Good luck!

#13

Man in suit walking in street A bus driver goes the wrong way on a one-way street. He passes the cops, but they don’t stop him. Why?

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14points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: He was walking.

2points

#14

You are my brother, but I am not your brother. Who am I?

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14points

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Cathy Hurd 2 years ago

Not necessarily

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#15

A rooster lays an egg at the very top of a slanted roof. Which side is the egg going to roll off on?

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14points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Neither, roosters don’t lay eggs.

1point

#16

woman holding scales statue What is it that no one wants, but no one wants to lose?

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A lawsuit.

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#17

What gets wet while drying?

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13points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A towel.

0points

#18

Take away the whole, and some remain. What is it?

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13points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: The word “wholesome.”

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#19

What can’t be burned in a fire nor drowned in the water?

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13points

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Your Neighborhood Alien 2 years ago

Clever!

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#20

Person holding bowl with brown eggs A box without hinges, key or lid, yet golden treasure inside is hid.

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13points

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Your Neighborhood Alien 2 years ago

Is an egg a box??

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#21

Voiceless it cries, wingless flutters, toothless bites, mouthless mutters.

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13points

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RamiRudolph 2 years ago

Yeah, I've read the Hobbit too...

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#22

A girl has as many brothers as sisters, but each brother has only half as many brothers as sisters. How many brothers and sisters are there in the family?

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12points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Four sisters and three brothers.

0points

#23

This belongs to you, but everyone else uses it.

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12points

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Yolanda 1 month ago

Name

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#24

Silhouette of hugging couple Stronger than iron, crueler than death, sweeter than springtime it lives beyond breath.

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Love.

0points

#25

Without a bridle or a saddle, across a thing I ride a-straddle. And those I ride, by help of me, though almost blind, are made to see. What am I?

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12points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Eye glasses.

0points

#26

Who lives in a house with one bedroom, 50 hallways, and ghosts lurking everywhere?

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12points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Pacman.

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#27

I have cities, but no houses. I have mountains, but no trees. I have water, but no fish. What am I?

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11points

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Travis A 2 years ago

That's one crappy map

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#28

A woman shoots her husband, then holds him underwater for five minutes. Next, she hangs him. Right after, they enjoy a lovely dinner. Explain.

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Travis A 2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#29

man holding yellow pencil I come from a mine and get surrounded by wood always. Everyone uses me. What am I?

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11points

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Yolanda 1 month ago

Pencil

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#30

What is able to go up a chimney when down but unable to go down a chimney when up?

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: An umbrella.

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#31

How can you drop a raw egg from a height onto a concrete floor without cracking it?

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11points

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Yolanda 1 month ago

There's no way

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#32

What loses its head in the morning and gets it back at night?

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Jeremy Kuhn 8 months ago

These are really great. I teach middle schoolers and have gone through a lot of the other sites. But there are some really good ones that are new to me. Thanks for doing these.

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#33

I'm sorry wooden letters What can be given and can be accepted, is worth a great deal but costs nothing yet has no monetary value?

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11points

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Hugh Wyborn 1 year ago

Wouldn’t love work

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#34

Three different doctors said that Paul is their brother yet Paul claims he has no brothers. Who is lying?

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10points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: No one is lying because the three doctors are Paul’s sisters.

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#35

What is full of holes but still holds a lot of water?

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A sponge.

0points

#36

A man goes out in heavy rain with nothing to protect him from it. His hair doesn’t get wet. How does he do that?

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Mere Cat 2 years ago

His hair was already wet

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#37

Snow mountain under stars What has roots as nobody sees, is taller than trees, up, up, up it goes, and yet, never grows?

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10points

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kim morris 2 years ago

Mountains grow.

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#38

What has leaves but no branches?

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Yi Juin 1 year ago

if "what" doesn't mean that it cannot be a "who", then an employee is an answer (an employee can take leave)

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#39

What’s black when you get it, red when you use it, and white when you’re all through with it?

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Charcoal.

0points

#40

Erupted volcano My thunder comes before the lightning. My lightning comes before the clouds. My rain dries all the land it touches.

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9points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A volcano.

0points

#41

What has a heart that doesn’t beat?

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8points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: An artichoke.

0points

#42

What always ends everything?

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8points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: The letter G.

0points

#43

Where can you finish a book without finishing a sentence?

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8points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Prison.

0points

#44

Two yellow and red wooden doors What is it that given one, you’ll have either two or none?

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8points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A choice.

0points

#45

I am something people celebrate or resist. I change people’s thoughts and lives. I am obvious to some people but, to others, I am a mystery. What am I?

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Mere Cat 2 years ago

Religion

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#46

Hands she has but does not hold, teeth she has but does not bite, feet she has but they are cold, eyes she has but without sight.

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8points

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Pekoe 2 years ago

What kind of creepy doll has teeth?

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#47

What has fifteen diamonds but isn’t rich?

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Paul Olson 1 year ago

Actually that would be 13

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#48

Why is it that when you have lost something, it’s always in the last place you look?

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Because you stop looking when you find it.

0points

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#49

Pile of different donuts What has no beginning, middle or end?

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8points

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Yi Juin 1 year ago

basically anything round

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#50

I stick so strongly, yet I am not sticky in the slightest. What am I?

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8points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A magnet.

0points

#51

Woman holding lighted candle You measure my life in hours and I serve you by expiring. I’m quick when I’m thin and slow when I’m fat. The wind is my enemy.

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7points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A candle.

0points

#52

What is seen in the middle of March and April that can’t be seen at the beginning or end of either month?

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7points

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Lily X 1 year ago

October

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#53

What word in the English language does the following: the first two letters signify a male, the first three letters signify a female, the first four letters signify a great, while the entire world signifies a great woman. What is the word?

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7points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Heroine.

0points

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Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#54

Pile of books What English word has three consecutive double letters?

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Bookkeeper.

0points

#55

What are the next three letters in this combination? OTTFFSS

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7points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: E N T (Each letter represents the first letter in the written numbers: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, etc.).

0points

#56

How is seven different from the rest of the numbers between one and ten?

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7points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Seven has two syllables and the other numbers only have one syllable.

0points

#57

First you eat me, then you get eaten. What am I?

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7points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A fishhook.

0points

#58

Person showing left hand in sea background What can you hold in your right hand, but never in your left hand?

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7points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Your left hand.

0points

#59

How can you physically stand behind your father while he is standing behind you?

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: You are standing back-to-back with your father.

0points

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50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

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#60

What word starts with E and ends with E but only has one letter in it?

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7points

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Your Neighborhood Alien 2 years ago (edited)

Or, written as, "What word starts with E and ends with E but only has one letter in 'it'?", the answer could be "exile". (It only has one letter of the word "it" in it and ends and starts with "e".) The punctuation of that was a doozy! Hopefully I punctuated all of that correctly! 😅

2points

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#61

The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Fingerprints.

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#62

A word I know, six letters it contains, removes one letter, and twelve remains. What am I?

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Dozens.

0points

#63

White and black cruise ship in the sea You see a boat filled with people. You look again, but this time you don’t see a single person on the boat. Why?

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7points

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Donnie Mc00 2 years ago

the boat has not sunk? lol

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#64

What can travel around the world while staying in a corner?

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A stamp.

0points

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#65

There are two sisters. One gives birth to the other, and she, in turn, gives birth to the first. Who are the two sisters?

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Krishnamoorthy KR 1 year ago

How can brothers give birth?

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#66

It is an insect, and the first part of its name is the name of another insect. What is it?

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Yolanda 1 month ago

Beetle

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#67

I’m full of holes but strong as steel. What am I?

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7points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A chain.

0points

#68

Blue and orange tang fish swimming Alive without breath, as cold as death, never thirsty, ever drinking, all in mail never clinking.

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7points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A fish.

0points

#69

A barrel of water weighs 60 pounds. What must you put in it for it to weigh 40 pounds?

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6points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A hole.

0points

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Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

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#70

Give me food, and I will live. Give me water, and I will die. What am I?

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Yi Juin 1 year ago

i thought it was an overhydrated person (he can still eat food but he will die if he drinks any more water)

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#71

There is an old saying that goes, ‘Even a stopped clock is right twice a day’! What type of clock is right only once a day?

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Yi Juin 1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#72

Water and seashore at sunset What is always coming but never arrives?

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Tomorrow.

0points

#73

I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?

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5points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: An echo.

0points

#74

You see a boat filled with people. It has not sunk, but when you look again you don’t see a single person on the boat. Why?

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: All the people were married.

0points

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"I Didn't Start The Dryer": Karen Gets Taught A Lesson After Throwing Out Neighbor's Wet Clothes

College Student Does Exactly As Told After Roommates Demand They Keep Their Stuff In Their Room

#75

How can the number four be half of five?

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5points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: IV, the Roman numeral for four, which is “half” (two letters) of the word five.

0points

#76

A black computer keyboard on black table I have keys, but no locks and space, and no rooms. You can enter, but you can’t go outside. What am I?

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5points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A keyboard.

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#77

How many letters are in the alphabet?

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5points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: There are 11 letters in the words “the alphabet”.

0points

#78

A is the brother of B. B is the brother of C. C is the father of D. So how is D related to A?

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5points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A is D’s uncle.

0points

#79

It’s shorter than the rest, but when you’re happy, you raise it like it’s the best. What is it?

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5points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A thumb.

0points

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#80

Green leaf tree under blue sky My rings are not of gold, but I get more as I get old. What am I?

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5points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A tree.

0points

#81

What has a head, a tail, is brown, and has no legs?

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5points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A Penny.

0points

#82

What can fill an entire room without taking up any space?

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5points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: Light.

0points

#83

Gift of a raven, sharp as a blade, black is its burdain, wisdom its trade.

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5points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A pen.

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#84

Small snowflake White bird, featherless. Flying out of paradise. Flying over sea and land. Dying in my hand. What is it?

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5points

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Natallia Pisarenka 1 year ago

Answer: A snowflake.

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#85

What can cut like a knife, sting like a bee, bite like a lion. Carry truth and lies but never move or speak.

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5points

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Michelle Gosney 2 years ago

Next time, use a bigger gap between the riddle and the answer please. I can't be the only person to scroll too far.

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What do you think ?

Sylvester amedey 1 year ago (edited)

Lack of Visual Appeal: The webpage lacks visual elements that could make it more engaging and visually appealing. The absence of images or interactive design elements makes the page feel dull and uninteresting. Solution: Enhance Visual Appeal: Incorporate visually appealing graphics, illustrations, or even animations that complement the riddles. This will make the page more visually engaging and enticing for users. Lack of Social Sharing Options: The webpage misses an opportunity to capitalize on the viral nature of riddles by not providing easy sharing options. Adding social media sharing buttons would allow users to share their favorite riddles with their friends and increase the page's reach. Implement Social Sharing: Integrate social media sharing buttons to allow users to easily share their favorite riddles with their friends and followers. This can help drive more traffic to the webpage and increase its visibility. Screenshot...e3-png.jpg

juice 2 years ago

wish the answers were a little more separated, i kept accidentally reading them before i had time to think for myself

Kornelija Viečaitė 1 year ago

Some thoughts: 1. The first paragraphs lack a heading and contain an annoying ad on the left side of the page - the spot where most visitors' eyes linger first (I attach a screenshot of the view below). 2. The formatting of the riddle cards is a common complaint; I'd suggest putting the answer under a spoiler tag. 3. I'd suggest dividing the riddles into 3-5 sections according to difficulty. The reader could see several lists of riddles (20 per list) and wouldn’t need to scroll endlessly. The numbered riddles could be spaced out in a compact manner, still allowing for comments. The heading titles could help drive more SEO traffic, e.g. "Riddles for kids", "Riddles for your family/friends game night", "The toughest riddles for pros". 4. There could be an image for every section, named descriptively and with added alt tags. 5. Some jump links could also be nice so that the reader can jump straight to whatever list is relevant to them. Again, this can be good for SEO. Toodaloo! Screenshot...89-png.jpg

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85 Hard Riddles To Test Your Wits

The History of Riddles

Why Do People Do Riddles?

Intellectual Challenge

Cognitive Exercise

Aha! Moments

Higher IQ

What is the Hardest Riddle in the World?

How Do You Find Answers to Riddles?

Games

Linas Simonaitis

Linas Simonaitis

Melanie Gervasoni

Melanie Gervasoni