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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mystify
Add it to the list of mystifying choices people make in this episode — and another example of terrible schemers — but Nan and the rest of the women just watch all of this happen from across the theater.
—
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 23 July 2025
Found in a preacher’s sermon, the lines have always mystified medieval scholars as the fantasy genre didn’t line up with the way the poem and its characters were referenced by famous English writers like Chaucer.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 16 July 2025
Take a mental picture of your animal encounters, or marvel at the work of a professional at Gug Underwater Gallery, where photographer Chris Gug displays otherworldly large-format images of mystifying sea life—from microscopic plankton to great white sharks—found in oceans across the planet.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 July 2025
Our parent star, the Sun, has always captivated and mystified us.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for mystify
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 23 July 2025
Found in a preacher’s sermon, the lines have always mystified medieval scholars as the fantasy genre didn’t line up with the way the poem and its characters were referenced by famous English writers like Chaucer.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 16 July 2025
Take a mental picture of your animal encounters, or marvel at the work of a professional at Gug Underwater Gallery, where photographer Chris Gug displays otherworldly large-format images of mystifying sea life—from microscopic plankton to great white sharks—found in oceans across the planet.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 July 2025
Our parent star, the Sun, has always captivated and mystified us.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for mystify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystify
Verb
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Many historians have been perplexed by how such a seemingly simple man as Shakespeare could have written works of such grandeur and depth.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Aug. 2025
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Norman is perplexed by shootings like this.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This decision could confuse your friends.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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The season ended with the two attending a sleepover at Cody's house after his mom confused Beavis and Butt-Head with her son's friends.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And aren’t our real-life romantic complications bewildering enough?—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
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Its ginormous investments in higher-value, tech-heavy sectors from smartphones to autos to semiconductors to biotechnology are disrupting the global landscape at bewildering speed.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That’s baffling to me that it was even checked.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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Willis, a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker who starred for the San Francisco 49ers, was baffled by Jerry Jones sending Parsons to Green Bay.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After getting entangled in a puzzling murder, the two go on the run to solve the case while also trying to piece their relationship back together.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
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This mystery puzzled scientists because ice was not supposed to behave like that.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Or just confused vibes, such as when one player befuddled another by doing his best Puddy from Seinfeld on a plane impersonation.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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The Padres were mostly befuddled by Giants starter Kai-Wei Teng for three innings last night.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mystify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystify. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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