as in to perplex
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
we were mystified by the sudden changes in the tax code
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Recent Examples of mystify
Listening to that last statement, I was mystified.
—
Aryeh Neier, The New York Review of Books, 10 Mar. 2026
Yet even Tamara is mystified by her son’s relentless urge to repair.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Tuttle says she is mystified by the fact that the festival is being presented as being less political, or even as having turned its back on politics.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
Game and Fish officials were mystified because the guy didn't leave much, if any, physical evidence.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mystify
Aryeh Neier, The New York Review of Books, 10 Mar. 2026
Yet even Tamara is mystified by her son’s relentless urge to repair.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Tuttle says she is mystified by the fact that the festival is being presented as being less political, or even as having turned its back on politics.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
Game and Fish officials were mystified because the guy didn't leave much, if any, physical evidence.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mystify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystify
Verb
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These are the brutally real snapshots of a man well acquainted with—but still perplexed by—the powerful and destructive forces that lord over our lives.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
4 Mar. 2026
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Hour said he was perplexed by his liberal friends expressing their condolences.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This device is a high-tech centrifuge that simulates microgravity by spinning vials with samples around two axes, effectively confusing the cells inside as to their position in space.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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In addition, DraftKings argues that consumers aren’t confused by DraftKings’ use of March Madness.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There aren’t many ways to earn a club’s first win better than bewildering the league’s defending champions at their place.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
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Now, many millions of Americans are bewildered by events.—
David French,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This inversion explains a host of baffling political and cultural phenomena of late.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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On Sunday, Roan responded on Instagram, seemingly baffled by the swirling controversy.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But even as Roeder puzzled publicly over the future, Neurosis’ second life was slowly beginning with him.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
26 Mar. 2026
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The remains of these unknown creatures often puzzled their discoverers.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Warren senior right-hander Peyton Balanag throws a pitch that can befuddle hitters.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
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Powell acknowledged he was befuddled by persistent gains in housing prices, considering the job market was weakening.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mystify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystify. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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