mystify

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verb mys·ti·fy \ ˈmis-tə-ˌfī \

Definition of mystify

mystified; mystifying

transitive verb

1 :to perplex the mind of :bewilder

2 :to make mysterious or obscure

mystify an interpretation of a prophecy

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mystifier

play \-ˌfī(-ə)r\ noun

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mystifyingly

play \-ˌfī-iŋ-lē\ adverb

See mystify defined for English-language learners

See mystify defined for kids

Examples of mystify in a Sentence

The cause of the disease mystified doctors for many years.
The magician has been mystifying his audiences for years with his amazing tricks.

Recent Examples of mystify from the Web

Investigators were mystified: The teenagers did not know each other, live in the same neighborhood or attend the same school.

— author: jan hoffman, Alaska Dispatch News, "Hunting a killer in Oklahoma: Sex, drugs and the return of syphilis," 25 Aug. 2017
The Twitter barbs came thick and fast, with fans mystified by EA’s apparent ignorance of Henry’s position and attacking qualities.

— SI.com, "Arsenal Fans Vent Their Fury on Twitter After Thierry Henry's Odd FIFA 18 Legends Card Is Revealed," 1 Aug. 2017
My approach is to bring information and resources to the community, de-mystifying the political process while teaching residents how to be their own champions.

— katrease stafford, Detroit Free Press, "City Council questionnaires: Candidates address issues facing Detroit," 31 July 2017
TSA (@TSA) July 24, 2017 Lorie Dankers, a TSA spokeswoman, told Ars on Monday morning that she was mystified as to how United could get this policy wrong.

— cyrus farivar, Ars Technica, "TSA: United made false announcement about comic book luggage ban," 24 July 2017
Two girls from the team say they are mystified by the decision since the contest's organizers said teams from Iran and Sudan as well as a de facto Syrian team had obtained visas.

— claire zillman, Fortune, "The World’s Most Powerful Women: July 6," 6 July 2017
The Nak’s owner was mystified by the city of Lighthouse Point, which recently rejected his plan to open a second The Nak there.

— anne geggis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Kava bar banned over designer-drug rule in Lighthouse Point," 30 June 2017
The North Siders sound mystified; those from the city's South and West sides know all about it.

— bill daley, chicagotribune.com, "What's the Story? Answering a reader's questions about mild sauce, the condiment you'll find only in Chicago," 23 June 2017
An aunt who was at the court but declined to give her name said Martinez Torres' family is shocked and mystified about the charges against him.

— Alaska Dispatch News, "Killing of Muslim teen near Va. mosque stemmed from road rage, police say," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mystify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mystify

French mistifier, from mystère mystery, from Latin mysterium

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1814

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mystify Synonyms

Synonyms

addle, baffle, bamboozle, beat, befog, befuddle, bemuse, bewilder, buffalo, confound, discombobulate, disorient, flummox, fox, fuddle, get, gravel, maze, muddle, muddy, confuse, perplex, pose, puzzle, vex

Related Words

stick, stump, weird out; abash, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle; agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, stun, unhinge, unsettle, upset; beguile, cozen, deceive, delude, dupe, fool, gull, hoax, hoodwink, humbug, misguide, mislead, snow, string along, take in, trick

Near Antonyms

assure, reassure, satisfy; enlighten, inform

MYSTIFY Defined for English Language Learners

mystify

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verb

Definition of mystify for English Language Learners

: to confuse (someone) completely

MYSTIFY Defined for Kids

mystify

play

verb mys·ti·fy \ ˈmi-stə-ˌfī \

Definition of mystify for Students

mystified; mystifying

:to confuse or bewilder completely

His strange behavior has mystified us.

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See words that rhyme with mystify Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mystify Spanish Central: Translation of mystify Nglish: Translation of mystify for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mystify for Arabic speakers

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Examples of mystify in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of mystify

mystify Synonyms

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MYSTIFY Defined for English Language Learners

mystify

Definition of mystify for English Language Learners

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